The Fox is Canceled

Good Morning

We have made the difficult decision to cancel The Fox for this weekend, August 28-29, 2021. 

The Greenwood Lake Fire grew another 4000 acres last night and is actively burning a few miles to the Northwest of our start in Finland, MN. The smoke levels are our highest concern. While Saturday may be relatively clear, on Sunday morning the wind will abruptly shift west, potentially sending thick smoke directly from the Greenwood Lake Fire (and possibly other fires) onto the route. The air quality index may exceed 150, which creates “unhealthy” conditions. Furthermore, there are active fire crews working not only the fires, but also driving the roads between Finland and Grand Marais where we plan to be racing. We feel uncomfortable holding a recreational event on the same roads that are essential routes for wildfire suppression.  

Here is the latest information about conditions in the Superior National Forest.  

 We are offering an 80% refund. Some of our expenses are fixed including insurance, permits and labor. 

We have agonized over this decision for the last two days. We realize that it is not only a let down but also a logistical/vacation hit for some. This year continues to challenge us all as we wade through COVID 19 and now a severe drought in the Northland. 

We thank you for your patience and understanding. As always, we try to bring the highest quality events and compromising our health or safety resources in the area is not worth the risk. 

Please feel free to contact Jeremy Kershaw at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com with questions. 

Thank you, 

Jeremy Kershaw

The Good Line Premier

Please join us for a special premier showing of The Good Line, a David Cowardin/Blue Forest Films production. Discussions about mental health, cycling and the intersections of them both in life. Proceeds will go to the Human Development Center, a local Duluth mental health resource.

Please see trailer here: https://fb.me/e/2A3iBe3i7

Heck of the North Camping

Hi,

We love the idea of camping out for a Heck of the North lodging option. We also know that Two Harbors can be busy that weekend. Thankfully, we have generously been offered a beautiful farmstead to have for our Heck Basecamp for the weekend. Located just northeast of Two Harbors, it is an easy location to get to and from the start area for The Heck of the North.

We will provide details of the location a couple of weeks before the race. It will have potable water and portable toilets. All we ask is that you leave it as clean as you found it. And maybe consider a small donation to the gracious hosts. But mostly, we want to offer a safe, free and fun location for you to set up your tent and hang with your gravel-riding buddies for the Heck.

Please email Jeremy Kershaw at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com to reserve a spot (and get a head count, too.)

Thanks!

Jeremy

The Wolf Challenge

Good Day,

Yes, a little late but there’s still time. We are happy to finally offer the course GPX files for “The Wolf.” This route is an exceptionally challenging version of our former “Heck Epic.” We made the decision to introduce and focus on our new shorter bikepacking event, “The Fox” this year. Again, many reasons for this. And, our Heck Epic is now formally known as “The Wolf.” Thanks for your patience as we navigate, what I hope, is the backside of this pandemic. And thank you for being patient as we change the name, sideline the formal event (The Wolf) for 2021 (back again in 2022?) and introduce “The Fox.”

Here are the details about this year’s Wolf course and Challenge.

For those preparing for The Fox (Finland-Grand Marais-Finland) we will be sending out communications about final event planning this month. We are also planning an informal gear, bike, and general shakedown get together in Duluth by the end of July. Again, stay tuned for that date.

We emphasize that this “Wolf” course/challenge is not an official Heck event this year. All riders are 100% on their own with no financial, food, water, liability, or safety support from Heck of the North Productions or Trackleaders.com. That being said, we are always open to questions at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com.

Good luck to those who choose to take on this beauty course through the wilds of Northern Minnesota. We look forward to doing some dot-watching and hearing about your journeys.

Thanks for getting out there, cycling and exploring.

Ride the Good Line

Jeremy Kershaw

Summer! Le Grand du Nord x Wolf Tooth / Otso Giveaway Time!

Summer! We are busy planning our upcoming “The Fox” bikepacking race. Details are coming together nicely and we will be sharing these with registered riders this month. We are also planning a bikepacking shakedown evening in Duluth in July. We will post the date and location of this informal knowledge sharing event this week. Stay tuned!

I know that I am missing our longer bikepacking race, The Wolf, this year, too. We are looking forward to offering this event in 2022 as a full fledged race again. In the meanwhile, if you would like the course gpx files for the route, feel free to email me and I will supply them to you. We are also working on a bikepacker friendly camping location within the town of Ely. As soon as we have that nailed down, we will share that with interested riders. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we navigate, what I hope, is the tail end of this C19 pandemic.

Le Grand du Nord x Wolf Tooth / Otso Giveaway Time!

Our friends at Otso and Wolf Tooth Components have a cool way to share your Le Grand du Nord experiences AND win great gear.

What you can win:

One of three prize kits that include an Otso Camp Cup ($24.95), Wolf Tooth 8-Bit Pack Pliers ($69.95), and Wolf Tooth Grips or Bar Tape ($19.95-$39.95).

If you were registered for the 2021 Le Grand du Nord, this is how you enter:

1. On Facebook, make sure that you "Like" Heck of the North Productions, Wolf Tooth Components, and Otso Cycles.

2. Post on the Heck the of the North Productions page a photo from the event, accompanied by a short story about your Le Grand du Nord experience. This can detail a success, a learning experience, something funny... get creative! but keep it family friendly. If you don't have any photos from the event, include a photo that relates to your story (a selfie, your bike, etc).

Rules:

- You have until July 23, 2021 at 11:59:59pm CST to enter.

- You must have been signed up to race the 2021 edition of Le Grand du Nord.

- You can only enter once.

- The 3 winners will be contacted via a Facebook message on July 24, 2021.

Questions? Send an email to chelseas@wolftoothcomponents.com

Thanks for being part of our Heck events and we look forward to seeing soon!

Jeremy Kershaw jeremybkershaw@gmail.com