Summer Holiday

We are away from the Heck table for a few weeks on Summer Holiday (actually still working, but a bit less.) We hope your Summer plans and travel are taking shape and fulfilling. The Fox Bikepacking Race is set for July 26-27 and it’s one of our favorites to host. In the meanwhile, we welcome back Velocity Wheels who will be giving away a beautiful set of bikepacking worthy wheels for one lucky Fox racer. Our friends up the Gunflint trail at Bearskin Lodge will also be donating a multi night stay at their beautiful northwoods resort. And Dr Jeff at Boulder Trail Dental will have us covered with the finest in bikepacking tooth care per usual.

Thank you for a great start to the season at Le Grand du Nord. Until next time, Ride the Good Line!

Jeremy

Le Grand from the Finish Line

The future of gravel cycling is here! Duluth DEVO finishers in the 110 race

Every year, it is my pleasure to not only send riders off from the start but welcome every rider back across the finish line. For those of you new to gravel cycling or maybe just new to our events, it’s a tradition that we have kept for 17 years. I’m there because we take great pride in our events and even greater joy in the accomplishments of each participant. It never gets old. So many stories. So many amazing efforts.

We are very happy with the event this year for not only reasons of safety but also Graveleer greatness. We saw some tremendous examples of being Graveleer. First events, longest rides, overcoming challenges, on-course camaraderie, and a lot of smiles at the finish line. I’m sure I will hear more as I often do sometime next December…but for now, thank you for helping to make it a great Le Grand du Nord.

We send another heart felt thank you to our incredible volunteer corp. Simply put, we have the best in gravel cycling and we are very grateful.

We also send a big thanks to our sponsors for Le Grand. Please consider them when shopping for your next cycling related acquisition or local North Shore service. Sponsors.

We are gearing up for The Fox Bikepacking Race. It’s a favorite of ours and we can’t wait to host. Until The Fox or maybe The Heck of the North, Ride the Good Line and keep being Graveleer!

Jeremy

Nick Nygaard and family, fastest male 110 mile race


Kayla Kjellman fastest female in the 110 mile race!

26 Mile top three: Sienna Sams, Casey Lajoie and Michael O-Connor. Keep an eye on Sienna!

The toughest of the tough, Emiliano and Andrew Kaptain and Daniel Bryan, 110 mile last place finishers!

The fastest three in Le Grand 50: John Holtan, Nicholas Friedl, Steven Anderson.

Thank You!

Our family sends a very sincere thank you to all who were/are part of the Le Grand du Nord Gravel Classic experience. We hope you had a fulfilling weekend!

This is a special post for our corp of incredible volunteers. We have the best in gravel cycling and we simply could not do what we do without you. Thank you so very much for spending your time and expertise with us and our riders. You are greatly appreciated!

We also want to thank Buck Benson for graciously hosting my family and I for the event. Thank you and see you at The Fox!

More thoughts, photos and gravel cycling goodness soon. Stay tuned!

Le Grand du Nord Route Scout

Heading west Cascade River Rd (50 and 26 mile routes) Photo Jeremy

I think the roads this year for the Le Grand du Nord courses are as good as I have ever seen them. Not only that, but the Aspens are looking great in their light green and the creeks are running full. It is an absolutely beautiful time to be up North. And the cool weather (expect 40’s on Saturday) will keep the bugs tamped down. Bring those arm and knee warmers.

  • All routes will have the official finish line on Co Rd 7, just west of Grand Marais. This is where your race time stops. If you are sprinting for the line, please be aware that the shoot is narrow and all roads are open to car traffic. We will have volunteers here and after the finish as you SLOW ROLL back to the ceremonial finish by Voyageur Brewing Co. All riders must follow the official course back to the ceremonial finish line.

  • All roads are open to car traffic. Always ride as far right as possible. You are NOT entitled to the whole road! Please assume a car is coming around those many blind twists and turns! Be careful!

  • All riders must follow the course as marked on the field notes and GPX files. If you are not able to finish, contact me or a volunteer.

  • Award ceremonies at noon for the 50 and 26 mile riders. The 110 mile course ceremony will be at 3 PM.

26 Mile Course: Your route starts with a 5 mile paved warm up section as you climb up and away from the harbor. Your first gravel stretch begins on CR 45/Pike Lake Rd. It’s in good shape this year. Your Aid Station is at mile 13. Be aware that the roads are all open to car traffic and there are plenty of blind twists and turns. Always ride as far right as possible! The gravel on Bally Creek Rd is in great shape, too. Enjoy the last few downhill paved miles back into town. Perfect tire is 35-40 mm. Overall gravel condition Very Good.

50 Mile Course: Your route starts with a 5 mile paved warm up section as you climb up and away from the harbor. Your first gravel stretch begins on CR 45/Pike Lake Rd. It’s in good shape this year. You’ll be turning left onto Bally Creek Rd heading north. This beautiful little road has many tight twists and turns. Be aware that the roads are all open to car traffic! Always ride as far right as possible. Your aid station is at mile 22. The Grade and Ball Club Rd’s are much more open (not as twisty as Bally) and in good shape. You’ll take a right onto Devil Track Rd and recoup on a few paved miles. I love this section as it rides onto the top of a glacial moraine. Your last gravel miles will be a left hand turn back onto Bally Creek. Again be mindful of the poor line of sight. Enjoy the last few downhill paved miles to the finish line. Perfect tire is 40-45 mm. Overall gravel condition Very Good.

110 Mile Course: You’ll have 3 miles of pavement to warm up as you ride away from the harbor. At mile 3, I route you up your first steep gravel climb. You’re welcome. In a few miles you will start your long Bally Creek Rd section. Be aware that the roads are all open to car traffic! Always ride as far right as possible! This beautiful little road has many tight twists and turns. You’ll ride by the aid station for the 50 mile racers at mile 16 (this is intended for the 50 mile racers but OK if you really need something early.) After the Grade and Ball Club Rd, you’ll turn left onto a few paved miles on Devil Track Rd. Then left onto Pine Mt Rd as you climb this twisty little road to your aid station at mile 38. Fuel up as you enter the Shoe Lake Rd loop…arguably one of the harder 30+ mile loops in gravel cycling. Of note, the fun starts at Fire Box Rd, mile 45. For about the next four miles, the route is rocky. There are a couple of nasty washed out culverts, too. Be mindful of your speed.

110 Mile Course. Powers Lake Rd section from mile 45-49. Enjoy. Photo Jeremy

After a couple of sharp turns back onto really twisty and beautiful roads (Tom Lake and Ester Lake Rd’s) you will make it to Arrowhead Trail and then the infamous Shoe Lake Rd. Shoe Lake Rd is one of my favorites. It is uphill then uphill and then uphill. And when you think you have finally crested, no, you have another uphill. It’s stunning in its beauty. Finally you start heading back downhill and eventually back to the aid station at mile 78. You’ll have a few paved miles to recover on Devil Track Rd as you ride the spine of a glacial moraine. Then left onto Bally Creek again as you eventually make your way toward the Big Lake again. Enjoy the last few downhill paved miles to the finish line! Perfect tire is 40-50 mm. Overall gravel condition Very Good.

Enjoy your race and remember to be Graveleer out there! Say hello to your neighbor. Be tough! And enjoy this amazing place we get to ride.

Cascade River (50 and 26 mile routes) Photo Jeremy

Pine Mt Road (110 mile route) Photo Jeremy