BryanT's Blog (7)

4 more days until the Iceman.

I have been lazy. Not with training for the Iceman, but with keeping up with this blog. My fans (Mom, Dad, &Sister) have been asking when I would be updating this again. Unfortunately, life’s responsibilities have gotten in the way of my writing. I have a “real” job (with a desk, stapler, files and everything) and a family, and the last week or so has been particularly crazy. That is not to say that I have not kept up with my training. Within the last two weeks I have ridden two different 20… Continue

Posted by BryanT on November 5, 2008 at 10:34pm — 1 Comment

The Iceman speaks. An interview with Steve Brown, Director of Iceman Cometh.

To get a little more insight to the Iceman Cometh challenge I spent an afternoon exchanging e-mails with the Director of the Iceman; Steve "Iceman" Brown. Not only does he coordinate the event, but he has taken the Iceman from a gathering of 35 guys in 1990, to an event that last year had over 3000 participants from 32 states and Canada. How did the Iceman get started? I raced bikes back in the late ‘70’s to 1980 and it just seemed like a point to point mountain bike race would be a real… Continue

Posted by BryanT on October 23, 2008 at 11:31pm — 4 Comments

Mmmm.....beer!

I just got a little more incentive to finish the Iceman race. I found out that Bell's Brewery will be hosting a party at the Loading Dock in Traverse City after the Iceman. Nothing goes better with bike racing than beer. Especially a great beer such as Bell's. The only thing better would be if they had the Swedish Bikini Team handing out beer at the finish line. Hold on, northern Michigan granola girls serving Bell's at the Loading Dock, even better! Check it out… Continue

Posted by BryanT on October 21, 2008 at 4:30pm — 1 Comment

Ow, my aching legs....

Ouch! That's all I can say right now. I have been meaning to update this blog for the last few days but since my computer sits nearly 12 feet from my couch and my sore legs only allow for trips less than 10; I have been unable to provide the fascinating insight you are used to. Although I have not kept the training pace I proposed in my initial blog post, I have been training on a fairly consistent basis and it is starting to catch up to me. I won't bore you with the details, but I have used th… Continue

Posted by BryanT on October 20, 2008 at 9:55pm — 3 Comments

Knowledge is King....so check out these sites.

Check out a few of these biking websites, you will not be sorry. First, click here to take a look at the website for the 2008 Iceman Cometh Challenge. Here is the website for MMBA (Michigan Mountain Biking Association). There is a lot of great information for avid mountain bikers and beginners alike, as well as user forums,… Continue

Posted by BryanT on October 16, 2008 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Preparation for the 2008 Iceman Cometh

What better way to begin 30 days of training for 27 mile bike race than a 5 day bender in Las Vegas. Not exactly unplanned, one of my best friends is getting married this weekend but to very conducive to my plan to get in shape for the Iceman. I will shell out the extra $45 to use the fitness center in the hotel (I am a sucker), but I really want to try to get in the best shape possible to ride in this race. I also hear that the mountains around Las Vegas have some excellent mountain biking trai… Continue

Posted by BryanT on October 15, 2008 at 11:21pm — 1 Comment

2008 Iceman Cometh Challenge: Bikes, Beer and Sore Legs.

What did I get myself into? It seemed like a good idea at the time, but all ideas seem like good ones after a few beers. Now I am committed to the Ironman Cometh 2008; a 27 mile bike race in northern Michigan, in November. Did I mention its Northern Michigan.... in November? How about the 27 mile part? Snow is not only possible, but likely. Like I said, over a few beers it seemed like a good idea but after the alcohol euphoria wore off I realized what I had signed up for. This may not sound like… Continue

Posted by BryanT on October 10, 2008 at 1:11pm — 2 Comments