Iceman Cometh Challenge
For over 30 years, the Iceman Cometh Challenge has pitted mountain bikers against the elements for a 29-mile dash through the Pere Maquette Forest. Starting in Kalkaska and ending at Timber Ridge in Traverse City, the November event has grown into North America's largest one-day point-to-point mountain bike race. More than 5,000 riders brave the hills, mud, sand and (sometimes) snow to cap off the mountain biking season every year.
Your Race, Your Challenge
The Iceman Cometh race offers distances to suit a wide range of abilities. No matter how often or how fast you ride, there’s a distance for you.
The Iceman Cometh Challenge
In 1990, Iceman founder Steve Brown put on a race for about a dozen of his friends. The premise was simple; get from Kalkaska to TC along the winding, byzantine two-tracks and trails between the towns. That first edition ended with hot dogs on a grill. Today, the race culminates with the biggest party of the year and thousands of spectators cheering home the Elite wave of professional mountain bikers from around the world.
The Slush Cup
Starting and finishing at Timber Ridge, the Slush Cup is a beginner-friendly 8-to-11-mile route that sticks to the Vasa Pathway’s 10km loop. It’s an excellent “first taste” of the Iceman race for adults and kids, and it’s where you’ll see perhaps the biggest collection of Norte Mountain Bike Team, Adventure Club and Race Team riders.
The Sno Cone
Norte hosts the Sno Cone, marking the course, organizing the racers, and cheering on over 200 little shredders. The Sno Cone is a mix of balance bike riders and young pedal bike racers tackling about a half-mile course. The highlight is always seeing those smiling faces cruise through the race’s gigantic finish banner just like the pros!
What to Know
The race is held the first Saturday of November unless the first Saturday of November is the first.
Registration typically opens March 1 and sells out by Memorial Day.
Riders are assigned 150-200-person waves that start at two-minute intervals to keep things safe. It takes nearly 4 hours to get everyone on course!
Iceman results are available in real-time, making it easy to track your favorite racer’s progress at several checkpoints along the route.
Get Involved
Dozens of volunteers and non-profits like Norte Youth Cycling invest thousands of hours to make the event a success. Before or after your race, consider lending a hand. Explore upcoming volunteer opportunities, meet like-minded volunteers, and see the biggest race in the Midwest from the inside out!