From the Finish Line

The Heck of the North remains our passion. Every year we are inspired, heartened, amused and motivated by the energy and spirit you bring to The Heck. For that, we share a very heartfelt thank you.

We thank our incredible corp of volunteers that help us and you make the most of the event. We are so grateful.

Our sponsors are the best in the gravel cycling world. Please consider them when shopping and traveling.

A special thanks to Lake County Highway and Sheriff departments, Mayo Ambulance, the USFS (Langley River Rd!!!), Silver Creek Township, MN DNR (North Shore State Trail!), John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and Nate Eide with Lake County Land Commission.

We start planning for the upcoming season the night after the race. Please feel free to contact us with comments and suggestions.

I am fortunate to meet everyone as they cross the finish line. I grab a few quick images. It’s your energy that helps keep Heck of the North Productions alive and well. Thank you!

Some special recognition:

• 56 Mile SS winner Joaquin Valdes

• 56 Mile Fixed Gear winner Tony Schneider (Tony wanted to make sure the Heck did not get too easy)

• 56 Mile Vintage winner Kevin Wood (Sorry John Hatcher. Next year…)

• 105 Mile SS winner Barry Buhr

• 19 Mile SS winner Tony Dank

Fastest 105 female Brooklyn Waldner

Fastest 105 male Peter MacGregor

Fastest 56 mile female Deb DeLuca

Fastest 56 mile male Satchell Mische-Richter

Top three 105 mile male: Peter MacGregor, Nick Nygaard and Shane Steele

Top three 56 mile male: Satchell Mische-Richter, Keith Ailey, Rodney Puumala

Top three 19 mile female: Erinn Riley, Sara Martin and Molly Johnston

Fastest 19 mile male Karl Saarela

Some guys that add a lot to the world of gravel cycling: Roman Friese (SS), Trenton Raygor (SS) and Charles Parsons (SS)

Heck tandem finishers! Maggy Nevrly and Alec Kadlec

Patrick & Annika Hansen in the 19 miler! What a team!

19 mile E-bike team Katelyn and Brad Bennett

Family of family!

Thank you!

Rob Czypinski, our overall Toughest finisher for The Heck 100. Photo Jeremy

A quick thank you before a more proper Heck report. We are so happy for those that joined us for this year’s Heck of the North. We really hope you had a great Heck experience. And a massive thank you to our stellar volunteer crew.

Some photos from the finish line…and thank you for being Graveleer!

New faces at the Heck are our favorite thing!

And old faces like Ross Fraboni. I think the only rider to have started and finished ALL Hecks. And looks like he’s training for more. Matt Ryan is a close second to finishes?

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!

Getting Ready!

We welcome ALL to The Heck of the North Gravel Classic! What a good time to share the experience of racing your bike through a beautiful part of the world with a whole bunch of great people.

We are putting the finishing touches on Heck of the North planning. Among them is an upcoming decision on a very key part of the 100 and 50 mile routes. Being in the gravel cycling game means having to be increasingly nimble due to sever weather events. We are still coming to terms with the June 2024 storm that hammered the North Shore. So…

We will have route files ready to share hopefully early next week! I will send these out to every registered rider with good instructions on how to use the Ride with GPS files. We will have paper field note cues for those wanting to stay analog, too!

We thank our amazing county, federal and local business partners who help support our Heck of the North. If you are looking for last minute lodging ideas, please talk to our friends at Lovin Lake County

In the meantime, peace to all and Ride the Good Line!

Accomodations and other Heck Details

We wanted to get the word out that lodging can be tough to find on the North Shore during peak Fall colors. So we strongly encourage you to tent camp with your amazing Heck hosts at Agate Acres. We have partnered with them for the last several years to help provide a groovy camping community during your Heck weekend. There are a few spots left so grab them while you can via your Runsignup Heck Dashboard. A supper option will be offered and it is truly a great place to be for the weekend.

We thank Lovin Lake County for being a great resource for all things Lake County (The Heck of the North’s home county). Visit their website for info on other lodging and cool stuff to do while you are up in this part of the world.

You only have two more days to change your Heck distance! Please do this via your Runsignup Heck Dashboard.

Volunteers! Calling all volunteers! We need folks to bring their incredible Heck energy to help make this dance happen. It’s a great way to participate and see what The Heck is all about. We take good care of you, too! Register for a job at Heck Volunteer.

We have a few more Graveleer Wool Jerseys left for sale. They will be ready for pick up later in September and at The Heck. These are works of art and maybe just the unique piece of cycling kit you were looking for. Order here.

…and I am making a fresh batch of ACE (Adventure Cycling Equipment) wallets. Available by local pickup and at The Heck. Get yours while they are hot!

Keep being Graveleer and Ride the Good Line!

ACE (Adventure Cycling Equipment) wallets sewn by yours truly. Available by local pickup and at The Heck.