Waiting and Watching

Good Morning!

We are taking the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic very seriously. We view this as a world wide concern, not a “foreign virus.” We wish good health and civility to all in this world.

As of today, our 2020 Le Grand du Nord, May 23, is still on. We will be monitoring the situation very closely and make changes as necessary.

Ride your bike! Get outside! Take care of yourself, your neighbors and send good energy to those around the world who are struggling!

Ride the Good Line~

Jeremy Kershaw

A Trip to Romania

My view from our apartment in Lupeni, Romania, June 2019

In June of 2019, I was invited by Dave Nonnemacher (of Duluth, MN) and Dana Bates (of Lupeni, Romania) to visit Dana and Brandi Bates’ home in the town of Lupeni, (pronounced “Lu-pen”) Jiu Valley, Romania. This invitation was made by Dave almost a year before, sometime after he finished his 2018 Heck Epic.

Dave, Dana and Brandi do work for an organization called New Horizons Foundation. Dana is the co-founder with his wife, Brandi, and Executive Director of NHF. Brandi is the Administrative Director and Human Resources/Fundraising coordinator for the foundation, as well as childhood reading advocate and mother of two (see bio’s at bottom of page.) Dave has worked with Dana for decades, both in Romania and in the US with various aspects of New Horizons. We met as he tackled the North Shore by bike on a few different Heck events.

The New Horizons Foundation mission statement: “which was founded in 2000 in Romania’s Jiu Valley, is to inspire youth to lead and to produce social change.  We do this by innovating and sustaining models of experiential education which empower youth to develop themselves, their communities, and the world in which they live!”

Dave had an idea that maybe my work with creating gravel cycling events could possibly assist with Dana’s latest efforts to introduce cycling to the Jiu Valley as a viable source of economic stimulation and healthy activity for the youth of New Horizons and the valley, in general. Dave started sending me teaser photos of his recent travels in the Jiu Valley by bike. Roman roads. Lush mountain scapes mixed with rock-cairn alpine trails. Emails peppered with comments, like, “I think you might really be interested in this area. It receives almost no cycling pressure, either.” After a couple of modest nudges to make the trip, Avesa and I booked tickets in the snowy days of 2019. I had never been to Europe and the idea of the Transylvanian region, among the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, being my first travel destination across the pond took me a bit by surprise. There were more than a few nights I lay in bed wondering what I had just gotten myself into.

I am going to cut to the chase and show a few of my photos from the trip. Dana and Brandi are incredible hosts doing truly groundbreaking, inspiring work. Dave was an amazing travel companion helping me to negotiate the nuances of Romanian culture. Avesa and I experienced a world that was beautiful, spirited, awe-inspiring, ragged at times, and in the midst of shaking off decades of rather interesting governing policies (put mildly.)

I will say this. I plan to go back someday soon. I plan to discover more by bikepacking. I plan on consulting to help build a Heck-like event with very Romanian aspects. And I think you should pay attention to the work being done by some truly amazing people in this special valley. Please feel free to contact me (jeremybkershaw@gmail.com) with questions, comments or ideas of visiting. Peace!

Dana, Teo and a small group of us heading out of Lupeni into the mountains

Mountain biking, downhill and enduro are getting very popular in Romania

Everywhere we traveled, locals would welcome us with food and spirits. And hold onto your hat with the homemade stuff.

Dave and I helped do some local beehive relocation work…

…were offered fresh milk, delivered in a recycled, 2 liter Fanta soda bottle…

Explored world famous caves…

cycled over Roman/Dacian made roads (80 AD?)

Met many gracious shepherds…

strolled the Saints Tunnel on the ski slopes of Straja, just above the town of Lupeni

And we road the wild roads of the Carpathian’s, home to Europe’s last populations of brown bear, linx and wolves.

Ves and I traveled a lot by train. I have very strong feelings now about humanity, gun violence and the civility that comes from sharing a train with the young, old, rich and poor.

Our post communist-era housing in Lupeni was completely perfect

Ves and I did some side traveling through the ancient cities of Sibiu (this fella was anxiously awaiting his person to come inside…)

the Eyes of Sibiu are a common window construction in this city’s roof-scape

and Sighisoara (do not come here to visit Vlad the Impalers birth place)

If the stars align, I will return to do what I can to assist the good people of this valley.

A sincere thank you to Dave, Dana, Brandi and our family and friends (especially Farrow, Susan Perala-Dewey and the Soderberg family) for helping us complete this journey.

evening stroll in Retezat National Park

A brief bio on Dana Bates: Dr. Dana Bates is the executive director and co-founder of New Horizons Foundation that pioneered both adventure education and service learning in Romania.   The unique youth development programs now span the globe.   Dana is also the director of Northwestern College’s Romania Semester. He graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. After earning his bachelor’s degree he went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Middlesex University in London.   In 2017, he began to dedicate much of his tiime towards the transformation of his coal mining region in Romania through mountain biking and adventure tourism.

A brief bio on Brandi Bates: Brandi Bates graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Brandi co-founded New Horizons Foundation with her husband, Dana Bates. Brandi Bates serves as the Administrative Director for New Horizons Foundation, and she is the Director of the summer Viata Program. She also coordinates Human Resources and fundraising for the Foundation.

Welcome to Gravel for Good Commuting

This year, we are encouraging all participants of any Heck of the North Productions event (Le Grand du Nord, The Heck Epic and The Heck of the North) to commute the same number of miles they race. For example, if you are planning to race Le Grand du Nord 100, then your goal is to log the same number of miles commuting. Any form of commuting is acceptable(cycling, walking, running, skiing, etc,) as long as it does not involve driving (and taking the bus is still better, but does not count.)

We have been fortunate enough to be able to walk or bike to work for the last 15 years. I believe that this simple act helps improves our health and reduce carbon emissions simultaneously. Our hope is that you enjoy the same benefits for this 2020 season.

Feel free to join our Gravel for Good Strava club. Or, keep your miles logged in your own notebook. However you choose, I trust that you are keeping track. Of note, the Strava club is for commuting miles only! I know that many put in lots of other training miles and log via Strava. I ask that all miles logged in this club are to and from work or other commuting miles only. Thank you!

We are working on a special thank you gift for completing this challenge. I believe that the reward of accomplishing this is well beyond that of any token item…but I’m game to throw in a carrot or two to help!

Good luck! The season begins now and ends by the start of The Heck of the North in September.

Jeremy Kershaw

Dogsledding counts!

Get Ready for 2020!

Deep into Le Grand du Nord, Photo Clint Austin

This year, registration for all three events will open on Thursday, January 2, 2020, at www.heckofthenorth.com. We are trying this to allow better planning for riders. We are also predicting, based on registration trends from 2019, that our rider limit caps for the events will be reached at a much quicker pace when compared to the last two years. So, begin thinking about your cycling trips soon in order to secure a spot. We hope to see you there.

Here are some early details about the 2020 season:

Le Grand du Nord: Saturday, May 23, 2020 Grand Marais, Minnesota

• We will again offer three course distances: 20, 50-ish and 100-ish.

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com

• We will cap this event at 600 total riders this year

• Don’t miss one of the most beautiful gravel courses in the USA. And, one of the coolest small towns in Minnesota!

The Heck Epic: Friday, July 17- Sunday July 19, 2020 Two Harbors-Ely-Grand Marais-Two Harbors, Minnesota

• This year, we are adding another day to the event! Three days of bikepacking as we bring Ely, MN. back into the event. It’s going to be great to have three of my favorite towns connected by some amazing North Shore wildness.

• Expect daily course distances to be between 100-115 miles each.

• Mandatory meeting on Thursday, July 16 in Two Harbors (at approximately 7 pm, details to come.)

• Rider cap for this event is 150

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com

The Heck of the North: Saturday, September 26, 2020 Two Harbors, Minnesota

• Our 12th annual running of our original gravel cycling classic

• We will continue to build on more camping, more food (food trucks being ordered already!) and more bonfires at the event!

• We will continue to offer courses of 20, 50-ish and 100-ish miles.

• We welcome all types of cyclists! Just come prepared for a challenge and with a bike that you know can handle the rigors of the day.

• We will cap this event at 600 riders total.

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com

The Flight

• The Flight is our three event challenge: Le Grand du Nord 100 mile, The Heck Epic (three day event), and The Heck of the North 100 mile event (again, ONLY 100 mile events and the Heck Epic!)

• We will offer a special discounted price for those determined enough to be part of our entire season.

• We will offer a special award to those who complete The Flight challenge. Last year, 24 tough souls got it done. Congratulations to them!

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com See special registration button for this event.

Gravel for Good

• This year, we will encourage participants to “offset” their event racing mileage with equal amounts of commuting mileage (either by cycling or walking.)

• We believe that cycling contributes to healthier people, communities and world.

• Stay tuned for a special tracking app that will allow riders to log their Gravel for Good mileage.

TRY THIS!

We encourage you to consider other regional cycling events, as well. Our friends at Minnesota Randonneurs have a big season planned of long distance events throughout the state. If you are not familiar with this style of cycling, you owe it to yourself to try one. They are a great group of people and an amazing organization (with a deep tradition, as well.)

And, a special reminder to ride with our Canadian friends at the Thunder Grinder, Thunder Bay, Ontario (Sometime in August, 2020 DTBD.) If you have not already noticed, they have some really talented cyclists and some beautiful country, too. I’ll be there. Hope to see you.

Save April 25 for the Earth Day Gravel Grinder in Northfield, MN. Great people doing the right thing.

We have three beta rides that are in the works for 2020. They might involve winter bikepacking, trout fishing and bikepacking and one rather long continuous jaunt between Two Harbors-Grand Marais-Two Harbors (think a mix of Heck Epic and Minnesota Randonneurs.) I will post more info about these via this blog and Facebook.

We thank you for making the 2019 season one to remember, in the best sort of way. These events are my passion. They would not be the same without the incredible people that bring them to life, though. Thank you to the riders, volunteers, communities and sponsors that are part of Heck of the North Productions!

We welcome comments and suggestions for the upcoming season. If there is something that you would really like to see, please email me, Jeremy Kershaw, at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com

So, keep riding, keep advocating for cycling, and Ride the Good Line!

Jeremy Kershaw

The 2020 Heck of the North Productions Season

Photo by Clint Austin

This year, registration for all three events will open on Thursday, January 2, 2020, at www.heckofthenorth.com. We are trying this to allow better planning for riders. We are also predicting, based on registration trends from 2019, that our rider limit caps for the events will be reached at a much quicker pace when compared to the last two years. So, begin thinking about your cycling trips soon in order to secure a spot. We hope to see you there.

Here are some early details about the 2020 season:

Le Grand du Nord: Saturday, May 23, 2020 Grand Marais, Minnesota

• We will again offer three course distances: 20, 50-ish and 100-ish.

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com

• We will cap this event at 600 total riders this year

• Don’t miss one of the most beautiful gravel courses in the USA. And, one of the coolest small towns in Minnesota!

The Heck Epic: Friday, July 17- Sunday July 19, 2020 Two Harbors-Ely-Grand Marais-Two Harbors, Minnesota

• This year, we are adding another day to the event! Three days of bikepacking as we bring Ely, MN. back into the event. It’s going to be great to have three of my favorite towns connected by some amazing North Shore wildness.

• Expect daily course distances to be between 100-115 miles each.

• Mandatory meeting on Thursday, July 16 in Two Harbors (at approximately 7 pm, details to come.)

• Rider cap for this event is 150

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com

The Heck of the North: Saturday, September 26, 2020 Two Harbors, Minnesota

• Our 12th annual running of our original gravel cycling classic

• We will continue to build on more camping, more food (food trucks being ordered already!) and more bonfires at the event!

• We will continue to offer courses of 20, 50-ish and 100-ish miles.

• We welcome all types of cyclists! Just come prepared for a challenge and with a bike that you know can handle the rigors of the day.

• We will cap this event at 600 riders total.

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com

The Flight

• The Flight is our three event challenge: Le Grand du Nord 100 mile, The Heck Epic (three day event), and The Heck of the North 100 mile event (again, ONLY 100 mile events and the Heck Epic!)

• We will offer a special discounted price for those determined enough to be part of our entire season.

• We will offer a special award to those who complete The Flight challenge. Last year, 24 tough souls got it done. Congratulations to them!

• Registration opens January 2, 2020 via www.heckofthenorth.com See special registration button for this event.

Gravel for Good

• This year, we will encourage participants to “offset” their event racing mileage with equal amounts of commuting mileage (either by cycling or walking.)

• We believe that cycling contributes to healthier people, communities and world.

• Stay tuned for a special tracking app that will allow riders to log their Gravel for Good mileage.

Try This!

We encourage you to consider other regional cycling events, as well. Our friends at Minnesota Randonneurs have a big season planned of long distance events throughout the state. If you are not familiar with this style of cycling, you owe it to yourself to try one. They are a great group of people and an amazing organization (with a deep tradition, as well.)

And, a special reminder to ride with our Canadian friends at the Thunder Grinder, Thunder Bay, Ontario (Sometime in August, 2020 DTBD.) If you have not already noticed, they have some really talented cyclists and some beautiful country, too. I’ll be there. Hope to see you.

We have three beta rides that are in the works for 2020. They might involve winter bikepacking, trout fishing and bikepacking and one rather long continuous jaunt between Two Harbors-Grand Marais-Two Harbors (think a mix of Heck Epic and Minnesota Randonneurs.) I will post more info about these via this blog and Facebook.

We thank you for making the 2019 season one to remember, in the best sort of way. These events are my passion. They would not be the same without the incredible people that bring them to life, though. Thank you to the riders, volunteers, communities and sponsors that are part of Heck of the North Productions!

We welcome comments and suggestions for the upcoming season. If there is something that you would really like to see, please email me, Jeremy Kershaw, at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com

So, keep riding, keep advocating for cycling, and Ride the Good Line!

Jeremy Kershaw

Two of our finest Heck riders!