For the event of the year, I chose to try and race the Iceman Cometh mountain bike race in Traverse City, MI. It is one of those races that I never got around to doing, in the 2 years that I lived there. Maybe that was for the better, since then it was nowhere near as big a field as it is now. With 4000 some racers leaving the starting line it was a constant flow of racers through the woods. If it were any more single-track it would have been a slow slog through the woods. But luckily the trail is mostly on double track trails, with some dirt roads and single-track mixed in. Since the singletrack was short, I used it as a nice rest, then tried to push the open areas harder.
The start was a little cool, but the sun was out and it promised to warm as the day went on, so I opted for just the thermal skin suit and a wind stopper t-shirt. Perfect!! Though, my hands were numb for the first 7 miles. No worries, I was on a single speed, so didn't have to shift and lead the SS pack into the woods with a clear view so didn't need the brakes either.
Not really sure what happend for the next near 2 hours, as it was all a blur or passing racer, after racer, after racer, after racer, after racer........, Yup, I passed a LOT of people. I new the end was approaching as the hills came quicker together and the back was getting tired. After a trip through the finish area, it went back out to another hill before a final trip to the campground and to the finish.I ended up finishing exactly as I had hoped, right on 2 hours. Karen had a great day, 9 years after her last time there, with a finish about 5 minutes faster than her prior time!! Also, my cousin John finished very well with a 2:03.
Next year? A long trip, kinda expensive weekend, but a GREAT race. I might need 1 bigger gear?
