Now a Word About our Sponsors

One of our amazing sponsors for the season. Boulder Trail Dental

As we head into the 2025 event season, we want to give a heartfelt THANK YOU!! to our event sponsors. These fine companies have either been sought out by us, or vice versa, because of the great work they do in the community and for cyclists. We value the ways in which they do business and bring creative and solid products and service to the North Shore and beyond. And they are just fun to work with. On your way to gathering provisions for your next cycling event or necessary service, please keep these folks in mind. It feels good to support great local businesses.

County Resources!

Wheels

Community Business

Le Grand Carbon Offsets

Photo courtesy of National Indian Carbon Coalition website

We are once again partnering with the National Indian Carbon Coalition to donate to their local Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa forest sequestration project. It’s a tangible use of carbon offset dollars being used right here in Northern Minnesota. We are asking all participants of Le Grand du Nord (and all of our events this season) to use this simple calculator Carbon Offset Calculator to estimate and donate their carbon use while attending our events. Heck of the North Productions will be pitching in, too.

We know that it takes energy, in more ways than one, to host, participate and train for our gravel cycling events. Thank you for the work the NICC is doing and you the rider for chipping in and doing your part.

Ride the Good Line!

Your Le Grand Bike

That’s a bike.

On my ride yesterday I was thinking about bikes and how they have changed and not changed since I began riding. And also through the decades going a long way back. Occasionally, I have people ask me my opinions about the best bike for one of our events.

I’m going to coin a phrase, “Your bike is faster than you.” Or, as I say about ALL of my bikes, “this bike is faster than me.” What I mean by this is for the vast majority of riders, their bike is probably not slowing them down. Instead of lusting after the latest carbon super bike, I have drifted the other way into vintage land. To each their own, though. And yes, there are a few riders where probably every gram and aero edge might make the difference between 1st and 2nd. Think pro level racing.

The biggest improvements in speed for any rider will most likely come from non-bike factors: good sleep, good food, proper training, and improved power to weight ratios. Then there is a proper fitting bike. Nothing will zap power, comfort, enjoyment and, in the end, speed, like an ill fitting rig. It is probably the single biggest improvement that any person could strive for with whatever bike they are riding.

And if you are still itching to buy something for your bike, think tires and wheels. I love HED Cycling wheels for the simple fact that they are the best in the business and Minnesota made. And they make crepes on course at our events. Crepes. I have unabashedly drank the Kool Aid from Rene Herse and Jan Heine. We are in no way sponsored by them…just a devotee. Here is a good place to start. But I warned you. You are officially really nerdy and your children will mock you.

If you have to buy a new bike, good. It’s fun and money well spent. There has probably never been a better time to find just the right bike for the type of riding you want to do. Buy local. Try a lot of them. Get a color you like. And make sure it fits like a glove!

Registration for the Fox

Photo by Josh Kowaleski at Pointed North Photography

Register for The Fox Bikepacking Race! 

Registration for the 2025 Fox Bikepacking Race goes live May 1 at 9 AM. We are using a lottery selection this year. Registration closes on May 8 at 9 AM. 75 participants will be randomly selected on May 8. 

We are capping the event at 75 participants. Minimum age this year is 16. 

This is our one and only bikepacking race this season and we hope you can join us. Tell a friend and help share the adventure of this style of bike racing.

If you know someone who has never participated in a bikepacking race before and may feel a financial barrier in starting the sport, Patrick at Cornerstone Cycling Coaching is donating entries to three first-time bikepacking racers. Email Jeremy at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com to enter this chance to win.

Patrick is our go-to for anyone looking for personalized and best-practice cycling coaching. Again, honor system only for first time bikepackers. Thank you Patrick and Cornerstone Cycling Coaching! 

Please see our Heck of the North website for details about the event. And always feel free to contact me with questions. 

Ride the Good Line! 

Jeremy Kershaw 

Graveleer for 2025

Our vintage wool Graveleer Jersey

Our official Graveleer cap

We are excited to introduce two special new pieces to the Graveleer Collection. Every few years, I love helping to create unique Heck items that paint a picture of what we believe in.

The first is our classic 1920’s inspired wool jersey produced by the legendary Cima Coppi clothing company in Oviedo, Spain. Their tailoring and design are second to none. We will have an advance order date in the near future as they finalize their wool fabric production. This is their midweight fabric and will be perfect for northern Minnesota cycling and the shoulder seasons for hotter climates. Wool is the magical fiber that can handle just about any temperate with ease. So this might become your go-to jersey for the whole year. We know the style is unique. And the front pocket will return!

The second is our understated Graveleer Cap. I designed this to represent our belief in the Graveleer ethos and especially during times when being Graveleer is just plain necessary. I wrote this a few years ago:

After some days’ consideration, I settled on a word of my making (I think): “Graveleer.” Like “mountaineer.”

Graveleer: Noun: 1. A cyclist who prefers racing, touring and exploring gravel and dirt roads.

Graveleering: Verb: 1. To race, tour and explore by bicycle on gravel and dirt roads.

to be Graveleer: Adjective: To be welcoming, adventurous and strong during a challenge

I have found myself thinking a lot about being a Graveleer and also Riding the Good Line this past year. We think the world needs more Graveleers not only in the cycling life but off the bike as well. Wear with pride and help make this world a better place to live. These caps will be available first at Le Grand du Nord. We will have them for sale via our website after the event.

We hope your Spring is going well and you are getting those all important Spring miles in. See you soon at Le Grand du Nord!

Jeremy