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!