We have some fresh Graveleer Goods ready for sale at our Heck Store. The wool jerseys are straight from Cima Coppi in Spain. The Graveleer Caps are a Winter must. And the A.C.E. (Adventure Cycling Company…my brand that could) are hot off my sewing machine, made with love. They are my Autumn go-to’s for North Shore cycling.
2026 Event Dates!
We are setting dates for our 2026 season as follows:
Le Grand du Nord Gravel Classic, May 23, 2026
The Fox or The Wolf Bikepacking Race, July 16-19, 2026
The Heck of the North Gravel Classic, September 26, 2026.
We are working on logistics for bringing The Wolf back to action for 2026. Regardless, the July 16-19 weekend will be used. Stay tuned as we finalize this decision by the end of October.
Thank you for another great season of cycling on the North Shore. Stay in touch and Ride the Good Line.
Jeremy
From the Finish Line
The Heck of the North remains our passion. Every year we are inspired, heartened, amused and motivated by the energy and spirit you bring to The Heck. For that, we share a very heartfelt thank you.
We thank our incredible corp of volunteers that help us and you make the most of the event. We are so grateful.
Our sponsors are the best in the gravel cycling world. Please consider them when shopping and traveling.
A special thanks to Lake County Highway and Sheriff departments, Mayo Ambulance, the USFS (Langley River Rd!!!), Silver Creek Township, MN DNR (North Shore State Trail!), John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and Nate Eide with Lake County Land Commission.
We start planning for the upcoming season the night after the race. Please feel free to contact us with comments and suggestions.
I am fortunate to meet everyone as they cross the finish line. I grab a few quick images. It’s your energy that helps keep Heck of the North Productions alive and well. Thank you!
Some special recognition:
56 Mile SS winner Joaquin Valdes
56 Mile Fixed Gear winner Tony Schneider (Tony wanted to make sure the Heck did not get too easy)
56 Mile Vintage winner Kevin Wood (Sorry John Hatcher. Next year…)
105 Mile SS winner Barry Buhr
19 Mile SS winner Tony Dank
Fastest 105 female Brooklyn Waldner
Fastest 105 male Peter MacGregor
Fastest 56 mile female Deb DeLuca
Fastest 56 mile male Satchell Mische-Richter
Top three 105 mile male: Peter MacGregor, Nick Nygaard and Shane Steele
Top three 56 mile male: Satchell Mische-Richter, Keith Ailey, Rodney Puumala
Top three 19 mile female: Erinn Riley, Sara Martin and Molly Johnston
Fastest 19 mile male Karl Saarela
Some guys that add a lot to the world of gravel cycling: Roman Friese (SS), Trenton Raygor (SS) and Charles Parsons (SS)
Heck tandem finishers! Maggy Nevrly and Alec Kadlec
Patrick & Annika Hansen in the 19 miler! What a team!
19 mile E-bike team Katelyn and Brad Bennett
Family of family!
Thank you!
Rob Czypinski, our overall Toughest finisher for The Heck 100. Photo Jeremy
A quick thank you before a more proper Heck report. We are so happy for those that joined us for this year’s Heck of the North. We really hope you had a great Heck experience. And a massive thank you to our stellar volunteer crew.
Some photos from the finish line…and thank you for being Graveleer!
New faces at the Heck are our favorite thing!
And old faces like Ross Fraboni. I think the only rider to have started and finished ALL Hecks. And looks like he’s training for more. Matt Ryan is a close second to finishes?
The Heck Route Scout Report
On the Heck 20 mile route. Photo Jeremy
Wednesday before The Heck could be one of my favorite days of the year. It’s when we start to see all of the pieces of the puzzle come together. And it’s also selfishly when I can spend the day in the woods placing signs, brushing and feeling that Heck spirit. The gravel pit turns into Heck Base Camp today!
After an some amazing work done by our Forest Service partners before the federal shutdown, our most iconic Heck road, The Langley River Rd, is open and ready for the public again! I can’t thank the USFS enough for going to bat for us and getting this completed before the big dance.
100 Mile Racers: We are planning on having a slightly longer neutral roll out through part of the Briton Pit Sector. This is where carnage usually occurs, usually by those choosing to follow a wheel at 25 mph. There are still lots of rocks just ready to slip your front wheel. It’s hard-packed two track but you have to keep an eye out for those loose rocks. It’s the Paris Roubaix Arenberg Forest right off the bat.
The North Shore State Trail is looking better than usual. There are still some muddy spots. It’s always a slow go but it’s dryer than previous editions. For those new to the Heck, this snowmobile section is a hallmark sector of all Hecks. This section is ridden twice. Enjoy!
The Knife River crossing could conceivably be done without wet footing. But it’s likely you won’t be so lucky.
The majority of the route via the county and USFS gravel roads look great this year.
Your last major sector is the Bailey Rd/Bear Pit sector. It’s rocky and hard to keep tempo on. Again, pay attention for imbedded rock heads and punchy little climbs.
50 Mile Racers: See above. We will have a slow roll through the first Briton Pit sector. The 50 does not partake in the North Shore State or Knife River crossing. But pay attention through the Bailey Rd/Bear Pit. It’s rough.
20 Mile Racers: Your route looks great this year. The gravel roads are in fine shape. The two track trail sections for you are also looking pretty good. Expect a mile of grassy two track coming into the checkpoint. After that, it’s smooth sailing down those great gravel roads.
We recommend the widest tires your rig can fit. The extra width will take the edge of the rough sections and help float through the grassy stuff.
Safe travels to and from the Heck. And during your Heck, please say hello to someone new, be Graveleer and be great visitors to this neck of the woods!
See you soon!