Thank you!

Nick Nygaard of Duluth takes home the honors of the fastest 100 miler. Photo Jeremy

A week ago we came together for the 15th (16th minus covid) Heck of the North gravel cycling classic.

Each year, as I set up the venue (ha…gravel pit) I wonder how this little circus of an event will feel or look. It’s usually quiet, no cars in the lot and only the sound of migrating warblers. There’s always a minute when I wonder if it will all come together.

Then our first wave of volunteers arrive bringing their customary great energy and enthusiasm. This year, a few lucky ones were given the coveted job of moving empty (and clean) porta-potties that had been dropped in the wrong spot. We had so much fun moving them that I think I will make this an annual pre-Heck task.

Within hours, the Heck begins. I am swept up in the collective energy of the race. It is a force of people who I have come to consider family, a fleeting community of folks who make this event something I love.

Standing at the finish line and greeting riders is a weird tradition but I would not have it any other way. I get a 5 second critique of their day. Sometimes glowing, occasionally grumbling but always 100% present in the moment. I want, most of all, for Heck riders to feel that they had an experience that added something, even for a fleeting moment, meaningful to their lives.

There has been a lot of talk about where the heart of gravel cycling is anymore. I know. I feel it. I see it. We’ll keep trying to make it happen again. I hope you felt it, too.

A bit of a pause to savor October. Then planning for the 2025 season. Ride the Good Line and be Graveleer on your journeys.

Bone Saw Cycling Collective was in full force! Photo Jeremy

Josh Kowaleski, our go to photographer, and son complete their first Heck 19 together. Photo Jeremy

Veteran Heck racer and hardman extraordinaire Dave Pramann and sons Chue and Lue finished their first Heck 19 together. Maybe the youngest riders to complete? Photo Jeremy

Welcome to The Heck of the North!

Photo by Josh Kowaleski, Pointed North Photography

It’s that magical time of the year. In a matter of days, the maple trees are turning red. Birds of all feathers are migrating south. The temps are (slowly) starting to cool. Crazy how this happens so quickly. The Heck of the North, for many, marks the end of a busy cycling season. We are excited to share this 15th running with you.

We are very appreciative of the incredible energy and spirit our riders bring to the event. It is a huge reason we love hosting our races. Thank you for being especially welcoming to new riders and our dedicated volunteers.

We are putting the finishing touches on Heck prep work. The Heck is different than a lot of other gravel events. Here are a few key thoughts we want to share before the big dance.

Safe travels and give a shout to jeremybkershaw@gmail.com with any race specific questions.

Ride the Good Line!

  • The routes are predominantly well maintained gravel road. But we have always included sections that are particularly challenging. The 100 and 60 mile routes will include historic, grassy North Shore State Trail (a Winter snowmobile trail.) Each will make two runs through. The 19 mile route will include a three mile section of two track road (no snowmobile trail.) I always recommend as wide a tire as your bike can fit or one between 35-45 mm. Keep pressures under 35 psi for most tires.

  • We have made lemonade from some weather and storm lemons this year. I think the courses are very Heck and we certainly appreciate your understanding of changes to our more traditional courses due to storm damaged roads.

  • We encourage riders to share their races experiences with friends over a delicious bowl of soup from The Vanilla Bean chefs. We have opted for healthier post race offerings over the last few years for a number of reasons.

  • Please take a look at the route maps for your event. If you are opting to use the gpx file, make sure it is downloaded before you arrive. And we will of course offer our traditional field note cue cards for navigating for those who want to roll analog.

  • Please see our two different times and locations for packet pickup on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

  • We strongly encourage all travelers to offset your carbon footprint with this great calculator from National Indian Carbon Coalition.

  • Parking is limited at the start gravel lot. Please complete this prior to 7:45am. Our parking volunteers will kindly direct you and we appreciate your patience with this process. Carpooling and drop-offs are a great alternative, too!

  • Our rosters are set. Waitlists are closed. Distances are final. We love the enthusiasm in last minute requests but thank you for respecting our limitations with changes.

The Fox, Camping, Sponsors and Here we Go!

Photo Kyle Cook, Agate Acres bonfire

Here we go! September is action packed here at Heck of the North Productions.

We have our rescheduled Fox Bikepacking Race happening this coming weekend. 65 racers will be departing from Finland on their way to Grand Marais. I think it’s looking like a beautiful weekend and we can not wait to share this part of the world with these adventurers.

We have The Heck of the North coming up on September 28. We are full and so grateful for those that have chosen to be part of the Heck experience. And we want to share that there are spots still available for camping at our amazing camp location at Agate Acres Farm. Emily and Kyle graciously share their CSA farm with Heck racers looking for a place to set up a tent for the weekend. Please go to the Heck BikeReg site and purchase a spot of paradise for the weekend. (Scroll to the bottom of the reg page.)

And to our sponsors that help sweeten our events with their cool products, Thank you! Velocity Wheels is giving away a super cool set of wheels to one of our lucky and fast Fox racers. We have one of the best group of sponsors in gravel cycling and we thank them all for their time and commitment to the sport.

Please contact us with questions about the upcoming month of Heck events.

Ride the Good Line.

A few spots for The Fox Bikepacking Race

Way up the North Shore Photo Josh Kowaleski

We are very much looking forward to the September 14-15 edition (re-do from June) of The Fox Bikepacking Race. We have a few spots left and encourage you to give this style of cycle racing a try. September is an ideal time to be on the North Shore (fewer/no bugs, cooler temps and maybe just a hint of Autumn.) Go here to register for the event.

Hope you are enjoying this Summer of cycling!

Thank you Wolf Riders!

“I went into the Wolf weekend with a bad summer cold– I planned to keep my distance, quietly drive the support vehicle, and go home early. On Sunday morning I could see Jer was going down fast with a migraine, and I’d have to step in as Race Director, like I did last fall for The Heck. For a minute I wasn’t sure how I’d muster the energy– but then the volunteers arrived at the finish area, with their joyful banter and can-do attitudes. When the first riders flew in, they got to work recording times, taking pictures, and awarding medals and prizes. The positive vibe increased as more crossed the finish, and in no time the parking lot felt like a beach party, with riders lying in the shade drinking cold cokes and cracking jokes. 

The Wolves really did act like a pack– and demonstrated real Graveleer behavior, like stopping to pick up trash and other riders’ dropped water bottles, sandals, and sunglasses. It was touching to see new-formed friends share supper in town and help each other fix chains and patch tubes. On day two, at around mile 80, several stopped to help a fellow rider fix his cracked rim with duct tape and zip ties. He picked his way over the rough patches of the North Shore State Trail and rolled into the finish like a champ. 

These events attract such kind-hearted, resilient, and resourceful people. I am so grateful that you chose to share your weekend with us, in this gorgeous part of the world.”