Registration for Le Grand du Nord Gravel Classic

Still life in workshop. Photo Jeremy

This time of year, at least in northern Minnesota, can be particularly difficult for athletes or those wanting to become more athletic. For experienced racers, the Arrowhead 135, Birkebeiner and several other races are in the rearview mirror. For those looking to ride gravel for the first time, dirt roads are ice and snow covered and going to the Y has lost its magic. For me, I have to dig deep into habits that have sustained me for the last couple of decades. Hence the photo of my basement bike shop and dreams of warmer days. And also the beauty of diversifying.

But first! Registration for Le Grand du Nord Gravel Classic goes live this Saturday morning at 9 AM! Here is the link to register. Actually it’s a sneaky way for you to see all of our Heck offerings this year, then register. Don’t dally this year. I think we will fill within a day. Tell your friends. Please invite someone new to cycling.

For the observant, and especially nerdy bike person, a 1992 Bridgestone RB-1 is seen sitting in the stand patiently waiting for a couple of adjustments. As are a Campagnolo Athena crankset and Dura Ace rear derailleur on the table. Out of frame is my trusted steel Clockwork gravel frame going for its second repaint. That bike is now 12 years old and still going strong. Instead of falling for the newest carbon thing, I decided a while ago that perfection and beauty in bike parts (and camera gear and many other tools) quite possibly existed decades ago. This is the time of year I tinker with getting my bikes just right again for the coming adventures. It’s therapeutic.

And diversifying. As I have gotten older, the drive to do ridiculously long events is still there. But I have opened up more space for other things. I’m going to skate ski today. I will run the trail and ski hill tomorrow. I even swim at the Y and don’t feel like I’m going to drown. I even took a dance class. And I bike to work. In other words, there is a lot to do this winter that can keep your body moving and still be in pretty darn good shape by May. And for the Zwift animals grinding it out in the basement, take it easy on the rest of us.

Keep moving and be Graveleer. For sure be as social as you can hack. That’s good for you, too. And we look forward to seeing you and your new gravel riding friends this May 23 at Le Grand du Nord. It’s our tenth running! Let’s make it a great anniversary. Ride the Good Line!

We Ride in Unity

Image from the web and Info for Duluth’s We Ride in Unity

If you live in Duluth, I look forward to seeing you here: We Ride in Unity, Saturday January 31. Thank you Continental Ski & Bike for organizing this. Consider joining your own community’s ride wherever you live.

I’ve been thinking a lot about community and the crisis that many of us are feeling lately and for some, have felt for generations. Alex Pretti was a Heck of the North rider in 2019. A rider that year wrote about her remembrance of him helping another rider during the race. He was also a nurse. His death affected me more than I expected.

I chose to not compete in the Arrowhead 135 for several reasons this year. A significant one was I felt like I needed to do something other than race. The decision tore me up. Like things are not the same, should not be the same. I decided to stay home with my family. But thankfully, a couple of days later, I accepted an offer to volunteer overnight at checkpoint 3 for the race. It was a great experience and it reminded me of something I know. It was good to be with people in my community, too. It lifted my spirits to see people doing amazing things.

We need to be part of our community(s) more than ever. We also need to reach out to communities that may be new to us. Endurance racing and gravel cycling have many family members. I include our Heck events in that family. I felt the importance of not only being part of the things we love to do as well as taking care of others.

Ride the Good Line and be Graveleer. Welcome all and do it with peace.

Heartbroken

photo Clint Austin

I am heartbroken by the events unfolding in front of our eyes. I am angry. My soul is aching. We know the importance of community and we send our love to those struggling right now. We know the healing power of doing hard cycling events. This stuff feels harder. Stay strong, peaceful and find your community. Be good to yourselves and never stop helping those in need.

Way up the Gunflint Trail

Fisher Cabin

On a whim, we reached out to our friends at Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail, north of Grand Marais, to see if they had a cabin to rent for a 24 hour get away. We were in luck. And even better, it was a ski-in cabin tucked a few kilometers into the woods.

We hurriedly packed our skis and sleds and camping gear for our impromptu get away. We were not quite ready for a full Winter camping trip this weekend so the remote, off grid cabin at Bearskin was a great alternative. And in fact, it’s a bit like camping in that pack stoves, water and lighting must be brought in by the cabin users.

It was a magical time. Perfect temps for skiing, freshly groomed trails and trees full of snow welcomed us for the weekend. We are always amazed at the mental and physical reset a quick outdoor trip can provide.

We talked about old family stories, new college experiences, current national politics, and thankfully, plenty of amusing memories and plans for the future. But mostly, we were reminded of the power of nature and moving through it by way of skiing. And cycling.

Looking ahead for the year, we want to strive to take the high road when it comes to doing what we think is right as members of our various communities, as a family business as well as citizens of Minnesota and the United States. We know the power of coming together to ride bikes. We know the power of a welcoming community. We know the power of standing up for the people and places we love and that may be vulnerable.

Thank you for Riding the Good Line this coming season and being Graveleer in the face of new challenges. And never forget the healing power of being with good people outside.

Hauling in for the night

White Pines

Coffee and oatmeal kitchen

A New Year

Handmade by my friend Chris Godsey

Mittens. Handmade mittens made by my friend and long time Heck rider, Chris Godsey. I commissioned these for my next attempt at the Arrowhead 135 later this month. More on that later. These beautifully crafted mitts are a joy to use. Thoughtfully designed, well constructed and very functional. I love stuff like this. The world needs more of it. I’m using them as an icon for our Heck projects coming up this year.

This is what we have in store for 2026:

  • Le Grand du Nord on May 23 in Grand Marais. Our amazing 50 mile route is back in action courtesy of a much awaited bridge rebuild way up on the Grade. Le Grand routes (110, 50 and 26 miles) are probably my favorites courses anywhere in this country. They are remote, wild feeling and just beautiful. It’s a perfect event to try on your Spring legs in one of Minnesota’s coolest Lake Superior towns.

  • The Wolf Bikepacking Race. It is back. We are awaiting final permitting from our friends in Ely. Tentative date is July 10-12. Three days of racing- Finland to Ely to Grand Marais to Finland. I have decided to redesign the route to lesson the mileage and bump up the fun meter. Still very challenging, The Wolf is a noticeable step up from The Fox Backpacking Race by just adding that third day. And the second stage is a long one. We will publicize the final details in mid January. It’s great to be headed back to Ely and put a new course to the test.

  • The Heck of the North, September 26 in Two Harbors. We are excited to share details about plans to move the start/finish location to a new location. Again, we are awaiting final confirmation on these changes. But know in advance that the routes for 2026 will be tough. Maybe the toughest in Heck history. We look forward to sharing these changes later in January. I think these changes are going to be very cool.

  • We will send registration reminders so that all are aware of their times to sign up.

Also, big news. We are partnering with TWO different event series!

  • Gravel ‘Sota is showcasing greater Minnesota’s vibrant gravel cycling community with over 10 events to partake and earn points in. Mark and Kris have put together a creative, welcoming and thoughtful series that our Heck events are proud to be part of. Check out their website and follow on Instagram @gravel_sota We will have more about this soon. Kris and Mark host the amazing Gray Duck Grit

  • Aurora Borealis Cycling Series highlight our growing family of cycling events here in the wilds of Northeastern Minnesota. Our Heck events are proud to be included. Quinn of Bearskin Lodge and The Gunflint Scramble has been doing a great job of creating grassroots cycling community up North. Check it out!

  • Put these series on your calendar and explore Minnesota by way of these grassroots gravel events. And have some fun with the points systems while you’re at it.

More to come as we finalize the events for 2026. Happy New Year and let’s be Graveleer this year.