The Pinnacle of mountain biking - Off to the mitten
After a quick flight out to the mitten (Michigan for those out of the loop), I was greeted by my college teammate and good riding buddy Scott Stuart at the baggage claim outside the Detroit airport. We loaded up my bike box along with gear and rallied the Jetta on I-94 past the awe inspiring world’s largest tire on our way to Oxford. Along with 5,200 other mountain bikers, we had our eye set on the largest one day mountain bike race in North American, Michigan's Iceman Cometh Challenge.
Following a good night’s sleep, Scott and I decided to rendezvous with local racer legend Lummis (who is quickly recovering from a hit and run while on the road bike), Larry, and Iceman post race event organizer Joe Brzuchanski at the Clarkston’s Union Pub. With local knowledge we ordered their legendary mac n cheese and washed it down with a delicious double chocolate stout.
Once the warming effects of the pint set in, I put on my new Family Cycling Center layers and headed out for a ride. In a balmy 45 degrees, I mashed the pedals on my Stumpy 29er for an hour of radness at Pontiac Lake. Following short punchy climbs, Scott and I were rewarded with good mix of bermed and drifty flat turns as we let gravity do its thing. The 29er was built for these trails, or were these trails built for the 29er? Either way, our two hour ride was over before I knew it. Now we were head into town with Randy Savage to have a couple beers and check out the “Ride Across the Sky” film about the Leadville bike race.
Scott, grinning like an idiot at Pontiac Lake
The Savage and the vangina
The following day, I woke to the smell of brewed coffee and after a hearty bowl of oatmeal we loaded up the car to begin our adventure north to Kalkaska Michigan. Passing miles of deciduous trees who’s leave have long since fallen, it occurred to me Michigan is a state with four distinct seasons with a cold winter around the corner. We passed numerous bank reader boards along the way and it was hard not to notice the degrees dropping from 40 to 37 to 32. With four+ hours to kill, Scott and I rocked out to The Orbitsuns CD on repeat, touched up on politics and the nation’s current state of affairs along with reminisce on past adventures and planned new ones. It is always good to catch up with old friends, something so easy to take for granted.
Once we rolled into Kalkaska, we decided to ride the second half of the race course starting at the Williamsburg road crossing. By this time temps had dropped to the upper 20’s and the snow was really coming down. Less than a minute after we got out of the car and began assembling bikes, the familiar yet frozen face of longtime friend Jamie Dinkins rode up. She was halfway through pre-riding the race course and looking very cold. The snow had been falling for some time and combined with the cold temperatures, the conditions required a seriously motivated individual. We offered her a spot in the car to warm up but she just continued on her way. Maybe she didn’t hear us or maybe she was delirious, either way, she still managed to kill it on the day of the race with a top 10 in the pro women’s race.
Chillin at the Williamsburg road crossing
Already cold...
Frozen bikes
Following our interaction with Jamie, Scott and I decided to cruise 16 miles back to Kalkaska where it wasn’t dumping snow and the conditions were a tad warmer. We dialed in the opening double track and fireroad section and figured out all the “PRO LINES” on the course. After an hour of riding I was numb but in good spirits and we loaded up the car to head off to the grocery store for some necessities.
The night before the race, the Brzuchanski brothers opened up their house and offered Scott and I a place to stay. Not surprisingly the house was filled with many colorful characters and fun people. They told us that we didn't need to bring anything as appetizing food and warm bedding would be there waiting for us, though we still came primed with whiskey, bacon, pancake mix, a tub of cookie dough along with a bottle of champagne. After good food and a fun night I got in a solid 8 hours of sleep.
Rockin' the new colors!
Upon the day of the race, I woke at 6 A.M. to the sound of the house bustling around getting ready for the start of their races. For most of those who stayed at the house, their start times took off at or a little after 9 A.M. It was good to see everyone off and wished them all good luck. After their departure, I was back to bed for another 2 hours sleep as my race didn’t start till 2:30. I woke to the smell of pancakes cooking and bacon frying with Scott ambitiously taking on the duty of chief in the kitchen. Following breakfast, we tidied up the place, loaded the car and headed to the start of the race in Kalkaska.
We rolled into town, filled our mugs with coffee and cruised over to the start of the race course. Arriving an hour and half before the start, there was plenty of time to pick up our number plates and catch up with old friends. A quick stroll around the venue revealed a handful of rockstars in the cycling community including current and past U.S. national champions, Olympians, along with lesser known but equally talented local legends. After running into “Manderson” and family I caught up with my old college roommate Brent Bookwalters for the first time after his dominating 2010 season. With a 2nd place finish in the opening stage of the Giro d'italia and top 15 in the opening stage of the Tour De France; Brent has no doubt established himself as someone to watch in the future. After time spent catching up with old friends it was time to warm up. Throwing on my new Family Cycling Center of Santa Cruz race kit, I was off to the starting line to get situated for the job at hand.
Pre-race mug shot. Manderson, Stewie, Andrea, Aaron
Following a quick call up process, 90+ riders were given the 60 second count down followed by the firing of the gun. We were off and in no less then 20 seconds we were doing nearly 30 mph on city streets heading into the first 90 degree left hand turn. There was chaos everywhere behind me as I exit the left hander and got back up to speed again. The first half of the race was undoubtedly fast. Fireroad and double track gave precedence. Speeds were a consistent 20-25 mph as the powerhouse riders moved to the front and strung 20-30 riders behind them who were all fighting to stay in contact. Riders were exploding off their bikes and colliding into each other as they rode into the many sandpits along the first half of the course. It was as if we were fighting for the hole shot in a supercross race and this lasted for 30 minutes. Ripping tight and twisty somewhat greasy single track made for interesting times on the trails among the trees. Looking at a elevation profile of the course, most of the first half of course offered wide open fast double-track and fireroad sections with singletrack sporadically mixed in. Williamsburg is where the mellow rollers end and a handful of steep and punchy climbs kick in. By the time we hit the Williamsburg crossing, the race was pretty much shattered with minute gaps already developed between riders.
With such a frenzied first half of the race, the second half seemed as though it was simply a fast pace ride with your buddies until around the 2 miles to go marker. While still in the woods, you can hear the race announcer on the PA along with many of the 5,000 racers from earlier. They were accompanied with family and friends all screaming for the riders to dig deep all the way to the finish line. After I crossed the line, I was greeted by friends and fellow racers all without delay and given a refreshing beer for my efforts. After chatting with fellow racers for a few moments, we were off to the car to load the bikes and head for the hotel to clean up and get ready for the post race festivities.
1 Brian Matter -- 2 --Sheboygan WI-- Gear Grinder --1:42:16
2 Todd Wells -- 95-- Durango CO --Specialized --1:42:33
3 Jeremiah Bishop -- 3973-- Harrisonburg VA --1:42:34
4 Sam Schultz -- 3-- Missoula MT-- Subaru-Trek -- 1:42:34
5 Tristan Schouten -- 103 --Sheboygan WI-- Mafia - Felt -- 1:42:35
6 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski-- 1 --Boulder CO --Subaru-Trek --1:43:46
7 Cole House -- 105-- Oneida WI --Bmc Racing Team -- 1:44:05
8 Mike Phillips --72 --Chicago IL-- Adventure 212/specia-- 1:44:15
9 Colin Cares -- 33 --Colorado Sprin CO-- Kenda --1:45:04
10 Russell Finsterwald -- 4 --Colorado Sprin CO --Subaru-Trek -- 1:45:59
11 Derek Graham -- 29 --Grand Rapids MI --Bissell/abg -- 1:46:09
12 Nathan Guerra -- 107 --Oconomowol WI --Mr Tree/power -- 1:46:43
13 Cameron Walters -- 85 --Ann Arbor MI --Cycle To Fitness --1:46:45
14 Aaron Bradford -- 17-- Santa Cruz CA-- Family Cycle --1:47:30
15 Isaac Neff -- 56 --Goshen IN --Alderfer Bergen -- 1:48:04
16 Nathaniel Williams -- -- East Grand Rap MI-- Bissell/abg Cycling -- 1:48:13
17 Brent Bookwalter -- 38 --Comstock Park MI --Bmc Racing Team --1:48:44
18 Ronald Catlin -- 7-- Shelby MI-- Mpi-Mainstreetbicycl --1:48:54
19 Stephen Dempsey -- 25 --Brighton MI --Bells Brewery/quirin --1:49:06
20 Christian Tanguy -- 98-- Rochester MI --Team Cf --1:49:42
Post race tomfoolery was scheduled to start at 8 P.M. at the Loading Dock in town. Joe lined up the kickass band “The Orbitsuns” resulting in great night filled with dancing and drinking amazing beer (Hopslam in particular) of Bell’s Brewery. Along with Gary Fischer hanging out drinking beers and celebrating his birthday, there was an all-star cast with the nation’s best celebrating another successful Iceman Cometh bike race as well as the end of the 2010 mountain bike season.
Wiped out after a night of fist pumps with Scott, Brent, Randy, Joe and crew, it was time for the 4 hour drive back to Oxford. Upon pulling into Scott’s driveway, in typical fashion, Joe called to inform me he landed tickets to the Clutch and Black Label Society show at the Fillmore in downtown Detroit. After very little persuasion, I was back in the car Detroit bound, ready to rock my sweet mullet.
Many thanks go out to all the people who made my trip such a great experience and if you’re ever on the west coast you need to look me up. Thanks to the Stewart’s and the Brzuchanski‘s for putting a roof over my head. Also, good times hanging out and fist pumping on the dance floor with the Lees-McRae alums, we'll do it again as this race will definitely be on my race schedule in the future. Lastly, thanks Family Cycling of Santa Cruz for getting my bike dialed and getting me out to the race. HAUL ASS!
Climbing the wall near the finish, completely shattered. Photo: David Ditzler
Trying my best to rail the singletrack. Photo Credit: Frances Upton
Finished and coming across the line. Photo credit: S. Silvurz
The party crew. Randy Savage, Stewie, Andrea, Aaron
The legendary Joe Brzuchanski. I feel I should warn you, hanging out with this guy may result in a good time.
Post race mud and sand
Following a good night’s sleep, Scott and I decided to rendezvous with local racer legend Lummis (who is quickly recovering from a hit and run while on the road bike), Larry, and Iceman post race event organizer Joe Brzuchanski at the Clarkston’s Union Pub. With local knowledge we ordered their legendary mac n cheese and washed it down with a delicious double chocolate stout.
Once the warming effects of the pint set in, I put on my new Family Cycling Center layers and headed out for a ride. In a balmy 45 degrees, I mashed the pedals on my Stumpy 29er for an hour of radness at Pontiac Lake. Following short punchy climbs, Scott and I were rewarded with good mix of bermed and drifty flat turns as we let gravity do its thing. The 29er was built for these trails, or were these trails built for the 29er? Either way, our two hour ride was over before I knew it. Now we were head into town with Randy Savage to have a couple beers and check out the “Ride Across the Sky” film about the Leadville bike race.
Scott, grinning like an idiot at Pontiac Lake
The Savage and the vangina
The following day, I woke to the smell of brewed coffee and after a hearty bowl of oatmeal we loaded up the car to begin our adventure north to Kalkaska Michigan. Passing miles of deciduous trees who’s leave have long since fallen, it occurred to me Michigan is a state with four distinct seasons with a cold winter around the corner. We passed numerous bank reader boards along the way and it was hard not to notice the degrees dropping from 40 to 37 to 32. With four+ hours to kill, Scott and I rocked out to The Orbitsuns CD on repeat, touched up on politics and the nation’s current state of affairs along with reminisce on past adventures and planned new ones. It is always good to catch up with old friends, something so easy to take for granted.
Once we rolled into Kalkaska, we decided to ride the second half of the race course starting at the Williamsburg road crossing. By this time temps had dropped to the upper 20’s and the snow was really coming down. Less than a minute after we got out of the car and began assembling bikes, the familiar yet frozen face of longtime friend Jamie Dinkins rode up. She was halfway through pre-riding the race course and looking very cold. The snow had been falling for some time and combined with the cold temperatures, the conditions required a seriously motivated individual. We offered her a spot in the car to warm up but she just continued on her way. Maybe she didn’t hear us or maybe she was delirious, either way, she still managed to kill it on the day of the race with a top 10 in the pro women’s race.
Chillin at the Williamsburg road crossing
Already cold...
Frozen bikes
Following our interaction with Jamie, Scott and I decided to cruise 16 miles back to Kalkaska where it wasn’t dumping snow and the conditions were a tad warmer. We dialed in the opening double track and fireroad section and figured out all the “PRO LINES” on the course. After an hour of riding I was numb but in good spirits and we loaded up the car to head off to the grocery store for some necessities.
The night before the race, the Brzuchanski brothers opened up their house and offered Scott and I a place to stay. Not surprisingly the house was filled with many colorful characters and fun people. They told us that we didn't need to bring anything as appetizing food and warm bedding would be there waiting for us, though we still came primed with whiskey, bacon, pancake mix, a tub of cookie dough along with a bottle of champagne. After good food and a fun night I got in a solid 8 hours of sleep.
Rockin' the new colors!
Upon the day of the race, I woke at 6 A.M. to the sound of the house bustling around getting ready for the start of their races. For most of those who stayed at the house, their start times took off at or a little after 9 A.M. It was good to see everyone off and wished them all good luck. After their departure, I was back to bed for another 2 hours sleep as my race didn’t start till 2:30. I woke to the smell of pancakes cooking and bacon frying with Scott ambitiously taking on the duty of chief in the kitchen. Following breakfast, we tidied up the place, loaded the car and headed to the start of the race in Kalkaska.
We rolled into town, filled our mugs with coffee and cruised over to the start of the race course. Arriving an hour and half before the start, there was plenty of time to pick up our number plates and catch up with old friends. A quick stroll around the venue revealed a handful of rockstars in the cycling community including current and past U.S. national champions, Olympians, along with lesser known but equally talented local legends. After running into “Manderson” and family I caught up with my old college roommate Brent Bookwalters for the first time after his dominating 2010 season. With a 2nd place finish in the opening stage of the Giro d'italia and top 15 in the opening stage of the Tour De France; Brent has no doubt established himself as someone to watch in the future. After time spent catching up with old friends it was time to warm up. Throwing on my new Family Cycling Center of Santa Cruz race kit, I was off to the starting line to get situated for the job at hand.
Pre-race mug shot. Manderson, Stewie, Andrea, Aaron
Following a quick call up process, 90+ riders were given the 60 second count down followed by the firing of the gun. We were off and in no less then 20 seconds we were doing nearly 30 mph on city streets heading into the first 90 degree left hand turn. There was chaos everywhere behind me as I exit the left hander and got back up to speed again. The first half of the race was undoubtedly fast. Fireroad and double track gave precedence. Speeds were a consistent 20-25 mph as the powerhouse riders moved to the front and strung 20-30 riders behind them who were all fighting to stay in contact. Riders were exploding off their bikes and colliding into each other as they rode into the many sandpits along the first half of the course. It was as if we were fighting for the hole shot in a supercross race and this lasted for 30 minutes. Ripping tight and twisty somewhat greasy single track made for interesting times on the trails among the trees. Looking at a elevation profile of the course, most of the first half of course offered wide open fast double-track and fireroad sections with singletrack sporadically mixed in. Williamsburg is where the mellow rollers end and a handful of steep and punchy climbs kick in. By the time we hit the Williamsburg crossing, the race was pretty much shattered with minute gaps already developed between riders.
With such a frenzied first half of the race, the second half seemed as though it was simply a fast pace ride with your buddies until around the 2 miles to go marker. While still in the woods, you can hear the race announcer on the PA along with many of the 5,000 racers from earlier. They were accompanied with family and friends all screaming for the riders to dig deep all the way to the finish line. After I crossed the line, I was greeted by friends and fellow racers all without delay and given a refreshing beer for my efforts. After chatting with fellow racers for a few moments, we were off to the car to load the bikes and head for the hotel to clean up and get ready for the post race festivities.
1 Brian Matter -- 2 --Sheboygan WI-- Gear Grinder --1:42:16
2 Todd Wells -- 95-- Durango CO --Specialized --1:42:33
3 Jeremiah Bishop -- 3973-- Harrisonburg VA --1:42:34
4 Sam Schultz -- 3-- Missoula MT-- Subaru-Trek -- 1:42:34
5 Tristan Schouten -- 103 --Sheboygan WI-- Mafia - Felt -- 1:42:35
6 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski-- 1 --Boulder CO --Subaru-Trek --1:43:46
7 Cole House -- 105-- Oneida WI --Bmc Racing Team -- 1:44:05
8 Mike Phillips --72 --Chicago IL-- Adventure 212/specia-- 1:44:15
9 Colin Cares -- 33 --Colorado Sprin CO-- Kenda --1:45:04
10 Russell Finsterwald -- 4 --Colorado Sprin CO --Subaru-Trek -- 1:45:59
11 Derek Graham -- 29 --Grand Rapids MI --Bissell/abg -- 1:46:09
12 Nathan Guerra -- 107 --Oconomowol WI --Mr Tree/power -- 1:46:43
13 Cameron Walters -- 85 --Ann Arbor MI --Cycle To Fitness --1:46:45
14 Aaron Bradford -- 17-- Santa Cruz CA-- Family Cycle --1:47:30
15 Isaac Neff -- 56 --Goshen IN --Alderfer Bergen -- 1:48:04
16 Nathaniel Williams -- -- East Grand Rap MI-- Bissell/abg Cycling -- 1:48:13
17 Brent Bookwalter -- 38 --Comstock Park MI --Bmc Racing Team --1:48:44
18 Ronald Catlin -- 7-- Shelby MI-- Mpi-Mainstreetbicycl --1:48:54
19 Stephen Dempsey -- 25 --Brighton MI --Bells Brewery/quirin --1:49:06
20 Christian Tanguy -- 98-- Rochester MI --Team Cf --1:49:42
Post race tomfoolery was scheduled to start at 8 P.M. at the Loading Dock in town. Joe lined up the kickass band “The Orbitsuns” resulting in great night filled with dancing and drinking amazing beer (Hopslam in particular) of Bell’s Brewery. Along with Gary Fischer hanging out drinking beers and celebrating his birthday, there was an all-star cast with the nation’s best celebrating another successful Iceman Cometh bike race as well as the end of the 2010 mountain bike season.
Wiped out after a night of fist pumps with Scott, Brent, Randy, Joe and crew, it was time for the 4 hour drive back to Oxford. Upon pulling into Scott’s driveway, in typical fashion, Joe called to inform me he landed tickets to the Clutch and Black Label Society show at the Fillmore in downtown Detroit. After very little persuasion, I was back in the car Detroit bound, ready to rock my sweet mullet.
Many thanks go out to all the people who made my trip such a great experience and if you’re ever on the west coast you need to look me up. Thanks to the Stewart’s and the Brzuchanski‘s for putting a roof over my head. Also, good times hanging out and fist pumping on the dance floor with the Lees-McRae alums, we'll do it again as this race will definitely be on my race schedule in the future. Lastly, thanks Family Cycling of Santa Cruz for getting my bike dialed and getting me out to the race. HAUL ASS!
Climbing the wall near the finish, completely shattered. Photo: David Ditzler
Trying my best to rail the singletrack. Photo Credit: Frances Upton
Finished and coming across the line. Photo credit: S. Silvurz
The party crew. Randy Savage, Stewie, Andrea, Aaron
The legendary Joe Brzuchanski. I feel I should warn you, hanging out with this guy may result in a good time.
Post race mud and sand
posted by Aaron.Bradford at
7:14 PM
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