Start Line

Start Line - Kalkaska Airport

The start line is located at the Kalkaska Airport at 1391 Island Lake Rd NW, Kalkaska, MI. Parking is available for riders and spectators at this location. Riders can also take a shuttle from Rasho Farms. For more info on getting to and from the start line click here.

2024 Start Map

View the 2024 Start Map Here!

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Start Times and Waves

Each wave will have approximately 100 riders (5,000 divided by 48 equals 104.2). Some may have a few more, some a few less. We will have almost 2 1/2 hours of starts! BE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH WAVE YOU ARE IN!!! Check the rider confirmation system for your start wave assignment before heading to packet pick up. Your wave assignment is also listed on the back of your number plate.

Tip: Plan on arriving one hour before your wave start time.

Staging

PLEASE STAGE ACCORDING TO YOUR WAVE. It is each and every rider’s responsibility to start in the correct wave. Once the first wave has started, ONLY the next wave will move up to the starting line.

Gun Time

All Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge Waves will be timed using GUN TIME­—the clock for your wave starts when the first rider in the wave crosses the start line.

Wave Starts and Disqualification

Riders starting in an earlier wave than their assigned wave will be automatically disqualified. Riders starting in a later wave than their assigned wave will be timed as if they started in the correct wave. For more information on wave and wave placements, click here.

Breakfast at the Start

The Kalkaska Kiwanis will again be serving up breakfast from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. The breakfast will include items such as their famous buttermilk and blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and beverages. There will be grab-and-go options as well. Pricing is $10.00 per person, and children 5 and under are free. Located in the Kalkaska Public Transit Authority bus garage.

Clothing Bag Trucks

Port-a-johns

Port-a-johns will be located at the starting venue at the Kalkaska Airport. The units will be placed north of the start chute, well within site of the start line and well within walking distance of parking for spectators!

Port-a-johns will also be placed on-course at the Dockery Rd., Vasa, and Ice Station Zebra food stations as well the Williamsburg Rd. road crossing.

Lost & Found

You are responsible for clothing, tools, or bike parts left at food stations or along the trail. We will make our best effort to get these articles to the lost & found box at the finish line but cannot make guarantees. Wear clothing you won’t mind losing!

Pre-riding the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge Course

Unfortunately we cannot provide maps of the course before the event since the course is convoluted enough that even locals with maps have gotten very lost in the Pere Marquette State Forest. All it takes is one wrong turn to ruin an outing. The course is marked on the Thursday before the race.

Drop Outs

Riders wishing to drop out the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge are asked to do so at any one of the road crossings with course marshals present. If you abandon the race at any other location, we cannot be responsible for returning you to the finish line. Please notify race officials by calling the number on your plate or speaking to an official at the finish line if you did not finish.

Cut Off Time

For the personal safety of all riders, the Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge course will close at 2:30 PM at Williamsburg Rd. Those riders (except for Pros) failing to meet the 2:30 PM cut off time will be directed off the course and into a waiting bus to continue on to the finish line.

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