Way back in the old days

RULES

Please note that all Heck of the North Production events (Le Grand du Nord, The Wolf & The Fox, and The Heck of the North) are self-supported. This means very limited assistance from volunteers, no/very limited signage en-route.

Riders 17 and younger ride free with an accompanying adult.

  • Riders must be at least 10 years old for the 20 mile event

  • at least 14 years old for the 50 mile event

  • at least 16 years old for the 100 mile event

  • All participants must be able to ride their bicycle independently. We will not allow child seats or tag-alongs. This is a change from previous years. Thank you for your understanding.

E-bikes are not allowed.

Plan accordingly. These courses are remote! There are no service stations or stores on course. One aid station per course.

All riders are required to a basic repair kit (including multi-tool, pump and spare tube) All riders must know how to use it. It is permissible to assist other riders during the event. CO2 cartridges do not count.

All riders are expected to have a simple odometer or GPS device on their bike. Cell coverage is spotty, unreliable/nonexistent on course. All race maps will be have an offline option available for your phone.

Have a backup plan in place. There is NO Heck of the North sanctioned sag support if you breakdown (physically or mentally). We will assist as able. We have limited volunteers at the checkpoints. In the event of an emergency CALL 911.

All riders must wear helmets. We strongly recommend eye protection, too. Eye protection is strongly recommended!

Please use fenders if you are racing and the weather looks rainy. This is a common courtesy and also an eye protection issue.

Outside support from teams, family, friends is forbidden. Riders ARE allowed to assist other riders if they so choose (nutrition, water, tools, wrenching support, first aid, etc.). Prearranged support will mean disqualification.

Please be civil, kind, and friendly to other riders, volunteers, and the public. Enjoy yourself, your neighbors, and this beautiful part of the world!

Always Ride as Far Right and stop at stop signs. We do not close any roads, so you will share roads with motorist and trails with ATVs. Follow all traffic laws, traffic lights and stop signs.

Lastly- please do not litter. If we observe any person littering on course or within the event grounds, that person will be banned from future events. Thanks for being good gravel citizens!

AID STATIONS

One aid station for each event distance (the 100 miler actually has two.) We do not offer a drop bag service. Each station will be staffed by experienced volunteers who will supply water, Skratch Hydration, cola, bananas, pb & j sandwiches, chips, pickles. Each station will have a toilet. We will have radio communication at these locations with our event team.

Please come prepared with the items you know you will need that we may not supply (special snacks, repair tool, spare tube, pump, etc.)

20 Mile Aid Station - Mile 11
50 Mile Aid Station - Mile 24
100 Mile Aid Station - Mile 40 and 66

GPX Route Maps

These will be provided to you two weeks before the event. We will send a Ride with GPS cache of gpx files from a RunSignup email from us. Please stay tuned for that communication in September.

Awards and Categories

  • Overall Female, Male, Nonbinary and Toughest (last finisher) will be awarded with special Heck of the North slate medals in the 100, 50 and 20 mile events. Medals will be awarded as these riders cross the finish line in downtown Two Harbors

  • Age Categories are recognized in the event timing (Duluth Timing and Events) but not awarded. Categories are:

    ages 10-17

    ages 18-39

    ages 40-55

    ages 56-65

    ages 66 and older