Although the biking season is over, there’s still one race that celebrates the sport. It brings together at least three thousand bikers across the country.
Bikers believe the 19th Annual 2008 Iceman Cometh Race is a great way to end the season. It’s something they look forward each year.
Even though it was rainier than snowy this year, it didn’t seem to have dampened the spirit.
A little rain helped to smooth things out a lot, so the sandy spots weren’t too bad this year. It was also really, really fast, according to Mark Jiles, Grand Rapids biker.
My toes are freezing, but the temps are perfect. A little rain is all it takes, but that’s the Iceman. It has to throw something at you or why not, says Shawn Hauser, a Green Bay biker.
This race, which is 27 miles long, serves to close the biking season. Each year thousands of bikers travel from all over the country to Traverse City to participate in it.
We have people from all corners of the country, including Alaska, Hawaii and Florida. Steve Brown, race director, said that we have riders from Ontario and 31 other states.
We were joined by 16 Green Bay riders. Hauser says that this is how we like it to end our season. We stay here and have one last chance with the guys.
Each year, the bikers arrive in Traverse City at the Timber Ridge Resort.
The first one was 35 riders long, and the number grew to three thousand this year. Brown says it was a wild ride.
Hauser says this is my 6th or 5th Iceman.
It is the ride that attracts bikers and has an impact on the local economy.
It makes a big impact. In fact, the original idea of the event was to hold it in the off-season. It was not summer season; it happened right before deer season. Brown says that this must be a boost to the local economy.
Steve Brown claims that the crowds are now in the thousands despite previous years of snow and ice. They had 200 children sign up for the race this year.
2008 ICEMAN COMETH RESULT
MEN
1. Jeremiah BishopTrek-Volkswagen1.28.31
2. Brian MatterGear Grinder+0.07
3. Mike AndersonBells Beer0.13
4. Colin CaresKenda0.19
5. Andy SchultzKenda-Titus0.22
6. Marko LalondeGary Fisher 29er crew0.30
7. Michael SimonsonTrek-volkswagen0.55
8. John DoylePriority Healthcare2.27
9. Jason LummisBells Brewery2.34
10. Chris PearisoAdventure212-Titus2.35 FOR WOMEN
1. Amanda CareyKenda1.45.45
2. Susan StephensBrodie Bikes+2.00
3. Heather IrmigerGary FisherSubaru2.01
4. Lulibelle WebbHagerty5.06
5. Erin VicaryBells Beer5.6
6. Susan Schubel6.09
7. Amanda SproatGary Fisher 29er crew6.50
8. Nicole BoremDrt Racing6.57
9. Danielle MustoKenda6.58
10. Karey CollinsTeam Giant Michigan9.32
