Hey Henry

 

Yeah,

It’s Holy Week

Um, you mean Christmas 

No

Easter?

No.

Hannaku 

Nope

I don’t know then..

Henry! It’s ICEMAN week!

What’s that?

Aww come on maaaaaan. You’ve been around the scene long enough to understand the importance of the first weekend of November is to the scene we speak of.

Ok..i guess..

Good..let she’d some more light on this, Holy Week..is the week leading up to the biggest one day mountain bike race in the country, thousands will gather mainly to the the posh upper class northern Michigan city of Traverse City, for this event. Its an epic event of Godzilla like proportions and some feel fulfilled, some leave hung over, some leave pregnant, and almost everyone leaves happy!

Ok..happy is good tell me more..

Its a party, a celebration. A festival, Its. Its ..It’s a mountain bike race like no other Hank..it’s for everyone, Mom, Dads, kids, Beginners, The novice, the middle age dentist, that aspiring pro, old pros, pro wannabes, privateers, segment stalkers, and even serial killers. the security guard at the local Kroger, and let’s not forget the locals! 

Oh wait a second...you said locals? what's a local? 

Yes Henry..

Why are they any different?

Well Henry, the locals, are everywhere, a local is someone that is native to the race, and often do not travel much farther than there zip code to compete TC locals are very unique in there own right..

Care to expand?

It’s not any secret that if a local does good against the remotes, it carries with it bragging rights all through at least the holidays. And the social media traction gained from a solid ride here whether it’s a local or that  self proclaimed I’m getting faster with age dude from the metro area is nearly doubled than that of a KOM at Stoney, Yankee Springs, or even the Polly Anne trail..

But that doesn't explain, why would a TC local be any different than say a Grand Rapids local?

Well the northern TC climate does funny things to riders up there

Like what?

For one, the riders are seated in waves, because of the large amount of participants, waves of riders are made up. Without going into too much detail, the fast non pros go first thing in the morning, so normally wave one is filled with some of the fastest guys of the day many being TC hot shoes. Virtually unknown south of the Zillwaukee bridge 

Ok you have sparked my interest.. what else..

Probably the most unique thing is there bike set up, they are a far cry the latest bee, boop shifting and the most modern light weight full suspension rigs, no some are a page straight out of 2013, early 29 Er hard tail, narrow flat bars, carbon rigid forks, Schwalbe Thunder Burts, or some obscure semi slick tire..1//11 system drivetrains propelled by a 40-42 tooth chain ring...

Sounds major..

Well Henry a win here carries more clout than you can imagine, a fast time allows for long stories at the after parties, and is a direct way to measure themselves against the big boys that will hit trail later in the day. some even believe there times are on par with the guys in the big show! 

Yes but will they get laid?

Yes probably some of them will enjoy the warm comfort

Well I stand corrected, the ICEMAN is much more than a way to say soo long to season, I didn’t realize it was this big of a deal! 

It’s a big deal, and unfortunately another reason why I believe the MichiganScene gets zero respect for having kick ass events. But with the growing live television coverage, and great commentary work from local Michigan cycling celebrity’s I believe the scene is moving forward. Hell we might even get close to being the next Arkansas...

cool.........