Team Local Spins: A jazzy, sunny and memorable Iceman Cometh Challenge
For years, a few hardy souls flying the Local Spins flag have competed in the grueling, 30-mile, cross-country bike race outside Traverse City. On Saturday, our 10-person team rocked the course again.
Toasting Iceman Cometh: Team Local Spins on Saturday. (Photo/Local Spins)
As a warm-up to Saturday’s Iceman Cometh Challenge mountain bike race outside Traverse City, the Jeff Haas Trio and special guests told riveting jazz “Tales” (among other musical selections) for “Local Spins Jazz Night” at The Alluvion listening room.
Two days later, six adults and four youngsters — all part of “Team Local Spins” — had their own “tales” to tell after the race amid the northern Michigan woods and fields.
They joined more than 5,000 riders who register for this grueling annual competition in which the lion’s share of adults spend hours fighting the hills and trails over a 30-mile stretch from Kalkaska to Traverse City.
Team Local Spins Jazz Night: The Jeff Haas Trio w/ Laurie Sears, Rob Smith and artists Lisa Flahive. (Photo/LocalSpins)
Fortunately, this year’s weather shaped up for nearly ideal conditions on the course for the first weekend in November when snow, rain and sub-freezing temperatures are common. (Instead, temps were in the upper 30s at the beginning of Saturday’s race amid sunny skies and moved into the 40s by afternoon.)
Leading the adult charge for Team Local Spins: Paul Sinkevics (2:00:18 – 7th in Age Group 35), Jordan Shiparski (2:26:25), Ashley Shiparski (2:37:49), Kyle Shiparski (2:44:37), Kara Vigneron (2:49:16) and John Larsen (2:53:46).
Local Spins’ youth team featured Marlowe and Louis Vigneron, Olivia Paulson and Mason Shiparski.
The team and its enthusiastic fans jazzed up the starting line in Kalkaska and the jam-packed finish at Timber Ridge Resort, where thousands of supporters cheered the amateurs as well as the pros competing in the 34th edition of Iceman Cometh.
Team Local Spins thanks sponsors The Alluvion and Athletic Brewing Co. for their support.
VIDEO: Team Local Spins @ Iceman Cometh Challenge
PHOTO GALLERY: Team Local Spins at Iceman Cometh Challenge
Jeff Haas Trio & Guests at The Alluvion
Photos by Local Spins
