If you’ve never heard of the Iceman Cometh, stop what you’re doing, grab a calendar, and circle the first Saturday in November (11/8/2025). This race is basically the Catalina Wine Mixer of mountain biking…yeah, it’s that big of a deal. Picture this: over 5,000 riders from all walks of life, all skill levels, and all over the country showing up to rip through 30 miles of Michigan’s finest trails from Kalkaska to Traverse City. We’re talking about the largest one-day mountain bike race in the United States, peeps. And this year? Oh, baby, it was a special one. Welcome to the year of the NICEMAN, the weather peeps delivered a gem with a chilly, crisp morning that turned into a sunny, mid-50s afternoon. It was like someone ordered up perfect race conditions. Whether you’re a diehard MTB’er who’s been training all year or just a fan of bikes and cheering, this is one event you absolutely cannot miss.
The Race Vibes: Where MTB Meets Pure Michigan Magic
The thing about Iceman is, it’s not just a race…it’s a full-blown MTB festival. Sure, you’re out there shredding trails in the morning, but the party doesn’t stop once you cross that finish line. No way. This event has layers. You race, you recover, and then you get to watch the juniors tear it up. And as the day rolls on, the local hometown PROs and UCI pros come out to show you what real speed looks like. It’s wild seeing them rip the same course you rode through just a few hours earlier, making it look effortless. And then, by 5 PM, you’re huddled around a campfire with a crew of new and old friends, swapping stories about near-misses, epic passes, and the brutal truth of how your legs are never the same after Icebreaker. That’s the Iceman vibe—it’s more than a race. It’s a day where your whole year of training, planning, and preparing meets the best kind of camaraderie.
There’s no ego here, just a bunch of people who live and breathe MTB, and it’s honestly one of the most welcoming and community-driven events you’ll ever experience. You might start the day solo, but by the time the sun goes down, you’ve got a whole new crew of biking buddies, plus a few stories that will live on in post-race lore.
Course Highlights: From “Make-It-Stick” to “Icebreaker”
Let’s talk about this year’s course because, as always, Iceman brings the heat with a mix of gnarly sections, speed, and strategy. One of the highlights? Make-It-Stick. This was the spot to be if you wanted to witness some absolute insanity. Riders were literally launching themselves over the race course while the crowd went berserk. The energy was contagious—you could feel the stoke radiating from the sidelines. And then there were the course changes this year. We took a slight left at “the rock,” which meant we skipped some of the usual gut-busting climbs like Anita’s Hill, Mt. Gary, and Madiline’s Trail. But don’t worry, the payoffs were real. We got a full-on run-in for Woodchip, which, let’s be honest, is one of the funnest sections of the course. Flowing singletrack as you crest Woodchip, just enough time to catch your breath, and then bam! You’re back in it, pushing your legs to the limit.
Sending it over Make-it-Stick
But let’s not forget the final boss: Icebreaker. This climb is infamous for a reason. It’s that moment in the race where your body is begging you to quit, but your mind is screaming “just one more push!” Your legs are on fire, your lungs are burning, but the minute you crest that hill and see the finish line in the distance, it’s like a shot of pure adrenaline. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of making it up Icebreaker—you’ve left it all out there, and the reward is knowing you just conquered one of the toughest, most legendary MTB courses around.
Why Iceman Is the Highlight of My Year
There’s a reason why Iceman Cometh is THE race of the year for so many riders. It’s not just the atmosphere or the community (although, trust me, that alone is enough to make it special), it’s the way the race challenges you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It pushes you to your limits and then rewards you with the best vibes and camaraderie you’ll find anywhere. You leave with sore legs and a full heart. The stories that come out of this race last all year long (maybe decades tbh), and I’ve already got plenty from 2024 to keep me going.
If you’ve never done Iceman, you’ve got to get it on your bucket list. Even if you don’t race, just being there as a spectator is an experience in itself. The energy is contagious, the cowbells are loud, and the mountain biking community? Unbeatable. People are cheering each other on, handing out snacks, dollar hand ups, high-fiving racers—there’s nothing quite like it. It’s not just about crossing the finish line; it’s about the journey, the people, and the shared love of mountain biking.
Looking Ahead: Why 2025 Is a Must-Do
If you missed out on 2024, let this be your wake-up call. Iceman 2025 is a can’t-miss event. Whether you’re in it to win it, just looking to finish, or coming to cheer on your friends, this race is an absolute must on the calendar. The course, the vibes, the people—everything about this race screams good times and great stories. There’s no other place where you can ride some of the best trails in the Midwest with 5,000 other stoked MTBers and then spend the evening swapping tales around a campfire.
So, start training, block off the weekend, and we’ll see you up in Traverse City next year. Trust me—this is one event you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re racing or spectating, the Iceman Cometh aka The Catalina Wine Mixer is a vibe like no other.
Woodchip Sandwich Handup!
Coyotes Crush It at Iceman!
The Coyotes showed up big time this year, with racers across all age categories putting up some seriously impressive results. Here’s a shoutout to all the riders who gave it their all:
Men 14 and Under:
- Tristan Hubbard 7th
- Luke DeWall 8th
- Cruz Woodbury 15th
- Will Hughes 17th
- Sawyer Willink 21st
- Jakob Boer 24th
- Owen Rookus 39th
- Tyler Veley 45th
Men 15-16:
- Ray Muehlenz 7th
- Easton Roberts 16th
- Camden DeJong 25th
Men 17-18:
- Drake Marine 12th
- Kaden Spitters 16th
- Gavin Peters 27th
Women 14 and Under:
- Reese Drajka 1st
- Sadie James 6th
- Landree Darnell 7th
- Sammy Weaver 11th
- Laila Hubbard 13th
- Ocean Trierweiler 16th
- Kaitlyn Tungl 20th
Parents and Coaches (Iceman):
- Adam Darnell 13th Men 41
- Brett Pankey 40th Men 43
- Chris Boer 3rd Men 52
- Chris Veley 39th Men’s Clydesdale
- Courtney Roberts 1st Fatbike Female
- Dan Clemo 50th Men 44
- Dan Modzeleski 37th Men 55
- David Woodbury 1st Men 43
- Dawn Boer 11th Female 50
- Drew Crowley 1st Men 19-24
- Drew Willink 28th Men 43
- Ed Stein 4th Men 38
- Eric Larson 29th Men 46
- Jason DeWall 60th Men 44
- Jeff Drajka 2nd Men’s Clydesdale
- Matt Hubbard 34th Men 41
- Michelle Modzeleski 8th Women 46
- Rob Martin 75th Pro Men
- Ryan Trierweiler 24th Men Singlespeed
- Tobi Tungl 5th Men 41
- Todd Rookus 34th Men 43
The Slush Cup Superstars
Not to be outdone, our younger Coyotes showed up big time in the Slush Cup, with parents and coaches racing right alongside them:
Men 10 and Under:
- Easton Johnson 1st
- Ryder Pankey 3rd
- Raylan Hansma 4th
- Sawyer Weaver 23rd
- Diego Martir-Pou 45th
Men 11-12:
- Max Clemo 7th
- Ryland Modzeleski 10th
- James Broughton 13th
- Liam Cox 18th
- Gunnar Larson 20th
- Michael Eicher 22nd
- Finn O’Byrne 47th
Women 10 and Under:
- Lola Clemo 6th
- Anneke Willink 7th
- Dallas Stein 10th
- Amelia Cox 19th
- Emery Stein 22nd
- Aspen Trierweiler 24th
- Fiona O’Byrne 34th
- Lucy Clemo 35th
Women 11-12:
- Hadley Ruch 2nd
- Harper Roberts 3rd
- Ellie Pankey 8th
Tandem:
- Andy and Winnie Richardson 3rd
Parents and Coaches (Slush Cup):
- Female 19-44:
- Jen Pankey 3rd
- Yidzza Pou 44th
- Amy Stein 47th
- Amanda O’Byrne 60th
- Katie Baker 61st
- Female 45-54:
- Autumn Horrocks 25th
- Male 19-44:
- Kevin Johnson 3rd
- Justinian Broughton 5th
- Male 45-54:
- Alex Ruch 7th
Coyote Alums Represent
And let’s not forget about our Coyotes alums!
- Anabel Miller 23rd PRO FEMALE
- Madine Whitmer 25th PRO FEMALE
- Kyan Olshove 7th PRO MEN
- Gerit Boer 63rd PRO MEN
- Eric Hoffman 6th Men 19-24
- Evan Mosher 16th Men 19-24
- Jacob Boon 18th Men 19-24