Iceman- Part 1

We're home from our weekend away in Traverse City, and we had a great weekend! I've got lots to tell so let's get started. It was Iceman 2009 weekend, and this was the 20th year for the race. It was Greg's sixth year, Rich's third, and Evan's 1st. The race starts in downtown Kalkaska and ends at Timber Ridge Campground in Traverse City. The Iceman race is 28 miles, and the race gets it's name because usually the weather is winter weather in November, with snow, ice, and cold. Click on my link above for more info on the race. The first year Greg rode it was cold and a little snowy. Every year since it's been mostly just cold, and a couple years of cold and light flurries, but nothing much. This year was one for the record books and not what we expected two weeks ago when we were talking about the race. I was 99% sure it was going to be freezing cold and snow since this fall turned cold so fast. As the race date got closer, we saw it was going to be in the 50's and then changed to the 60's. I packed winter stuff just in case it didn't get as warm as they said. Well, folks it ended up being 63 yesterday and absolutely beautiful, no winter stuff needed. It was PERFECT weather for the race! Who would've thunk a month ago that we would have this kind of weather for the iceman, let alone all weekend?

We arrived in Traverse City early Friday evening and grabbed some dinner while we were waiting for the Marr's (our neighbors who went too) to arrive. They left E.L. after us. We hit the Red Mesa Grill which has sort of become a tradition for dinner the night before the race. We stumbled upon this place a few years ago and really like it. It's a Mexican place and they have really good food. I highly recommend it! Our meal was fantastic, Greg and I shared the fajitas, and the service was the best service we've had in a really long time anywhere! It was a pleasant way to start our weekend in Traverse City.

After dinner we headed over to the Grand Traverse Resort where the race check-in takes place. Greg, Rich, and Evan had to pick up their race packets. The guys also paroosed the booths set up so they could drool over which new bikes they wanted. Keep dreaming honey, keep dreaming. Of course I'd love for you to have a new bike because you really deserve one, but it's just not in the budget. Here's the expo that is held on Friday before the race.


Saturday was the actual race day. This years race was bigger than it has ever been with double the riders, so the race got changed a little. With 4000+ riders, instead of starting at Kalkaska middle school they added a mile to the race and all the riders started in downtown Kalkaska. There were 135 riders per wave, and because of ages, Greg and Rich started at different times. They were only five minutes apart so not too bad. With the changes, parking, and an early start time, Liana took the guys to Kalkaska, and then I left a little later with the kids and met up with her at Timber Ridge. We arrived a little before Greg and Rich came into the finish. In 2006 it took Greg 3 hours, 11 minutes (This was the year his Dad passed away and he hadn't rode his bike from August until the race). 2007 it took him 2 hours 15 minutes, in 2008 it took him 2 hours 13 minutes, and this year it took him 2 hours 10 minutes. This was the first year he raced expert class, before he's raced sport class. His time wasn't what he wanted, but he improved, and I'm very proud of him. I can't imagine sitting on a tiny bike seat for 2+ hours without stopping once! I think you did great honey. Greg and Rich finished the race without any bike problems and didn't fall at all! Yeah!!! Here's some pics from the race!

All geared up before the start of the race in Kalkaska

Here comes Greg through the home stretch to the finish.

Unfortunately I didn't get a great picture of Greg at the finish because I was trying to take a picture and keep my eyes on the kids at the same time. So Greg got a little cut off in this photo, but he is on the far left.

Rich coming across the finish line a couple minutes after Greg since he started after Greg.

Evan and Emmaline proud of their Daddy after the race!

Rich and Greg after the race, they made it! Tired and glad to be done!

This post is getting long and I'm not even to Evan's race yet so I'm going to end part one and dedicate part two (the next post to come) just to his race. I think my little guy deserves it! I want to congratulate Greg and Rich on their race. While they didn't win or place to qualify for any medals (this race has very tough competition with real pro bike riders), I think they both did a great job! You guys should be proud of yourself for competing in such a race!

Before I finish this post I'd like to thank the Marr's who invited us to stay with them at Liana's parents house in Traverse City. Since we stayed there, we didn't have to get a hotel. We greatly appreciated their offer and would also like to thank Tom and Marge (Liana's parents) for opening their house up to our family, especially our hyper children this weekend! We had a nice time and Emmaline even discovered some "old" Little People that were Liana's when she was a child. Em was having fun playing with the Little People since she had left hers at home. These were the same kind of Little People I had when I was a little girl. I remembered having some of the same pieces. Here's Em with Veronica and the Little People.


I'd also like to thank Greg's mom for watching Molly while we were gone. We appreciate her taking care of Molly so we didn't have to put her in a kennel. Molly was such a good girl while we were gone and was happy to see us when we got home!