Cues and E-Bikes

I have been thinking for several months about two elephants in the room of gravel cycling, at least for our Heck of the North Productions events. To get right to it, they are the relevance and importance of cue cards, or what we call “field notes” and e-bikes. Here we go.

I have remained relatively quiet about the evolution of gravel cycling events in the last five years. Mostly, I think the boom of events and the increase in numbers of those who partake are overall good things. I like to see more people on bicycles. There has also been some discussion about how the growth of larger events may have possibly changed the feel, spirit or heart of gravel cycling, in general. This is probably most noticeable for those who rode in the first years of the sport (and I am talking in the last 20 years…not historically when ALL cycling was gravel cycling.)

I have pondered this at length and have come to the conclusion that I can only, kind of, control the events that we create and host. I am happy that we have remained relatively small. I am happy that we have been able to stay sustainable as a small, family business. And it makes me happy to see new faces, ages and personalities at our events.

But I do have a yearning for what I consider to be one of the icons of gravel cycling. The cue card. These used to carry a lot of significance. They were a form of artwork created by the director (I still remember Skogen’s craftsmanship with his at the Almanzo.) They were always a point of contention if the director made a mistake on a cue turn or on a mileage marker. And there was always the responsibility of the rider to follow their odometers and cue cards less they miss a turn and pay the price in bonus mileage and possibly even a significant change in race leadership.

I am considering bringing them back. And for this to happen, and effectively block the use of GPS units for the event, we would need to make some serious changes with our packet pickup.

But why even consider this? It’s about the heart of gravel cycling. I really like the idea of keeping some traditions alive. Yes it’s archaic. Yes, it will cause a few missed turns. Yes, I might even screw something up. Yet I still consider it to be a meaningful part of gravel cycling that I wished was still alive.

Now on to E-bikes. I am considering having a category, for the 18-26 mile events only, that would allow them. It would be non-competitive (meaning no awards for fastest.) I am also considering a design that would be team based: one rider on non-e-bike, the other on e-bike. The team would be have to cross the finish line together. I am no e-bike expert when it comes to motor class or types.

The intent to include e-bikes would be to allow people who feel that this style of bike is the one way they can still participate in cycling events. I will be honest…I have resisted this for years in fear that motorcycles are just a slide away. And nothing against motorcycles. But I had this thought of non-motor only at Heck events for a very long time. I’m struggling with this.

So I welcome feedback about both cue cards and e-bikes. Yes, email me at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com.

I’m camping and riding with Farrow and Reed this weekend and I am sure that we will come to some resolution to these issues. More to come!

Events Dates for 2025

Some seriously Heck worthy folks. Bone Saw Cycling Collective. Photo by Heck of the North

I love October and November. It’s a time to recharge, think about the coming year, brainstorm and try to improve the things we do and believe in.

Next year, we are offering:

• Le Grand du Nord Gravel Classic, Saturday May 24, 2025

• The Fox Bikepacking Race, Saturday-Sunday, July 26-27, 2025

• The Heck of the North Gravel Classic, Saturday, October 4, 2025

Registration for ALL events will begin online Friday January 3, 2025

We are planning a special bikepacking event, The Mink, sometime next Summer, too. It will be female only and tour style. Mileage will be about 30-40 miles over two days. That date is pending a few factors this month. Stay tuned!

We are also working on details for a special edition to our Heck of the North. Maybe involving music, al fresco dining, bonfires and camping. Stay tuned!

We’re also adding a new Vintage category to Le Grand and The Heck. This welcomes bikes older than 1987, clip pedals, exposed brake cables, and no GPS navigation (we provide our trusty cue cards for that.)

The decision to not host The Wolf Bikepacking Race, our longest event, is complicated and we thought very hard about it. Weather variability, the hoops of securing permits and our desire to focus creativity energy elsewhere were the main drivers. But it may be back again as it is a seriously challenging event and showcases some of the most beautiful terrain on the North Shore.

And, to put it lightly, I hope you vote in a way that supports our constitution, our freedoms that make our democracy, our bodies, our communities, our environment, our public land, and those folks who just need some extra help.

Peace and Ride the Good Line!

Finland to Grand Marais

The North House Folk School schooner, Hjordis, by reflection.

Finland, Two Island River, 6 Hundred, Honeymoon, Murmur Creek, Pike Lake Rd. Grand Marais. Place names that have become synonymous with backroads North Shore bikepacking. I jumped at a chance for an overnighter, this time solo.

I experimented with a new-to-me loading plan for my trusty steel Clockwork. Bringing the bike fully loaded from my deck to the car reminded me of the crazy phenomenon of static bike mass compared to moving mass. Do not ask me, there is no science to this statement. But I remember having the same feeling many times while racing the Tour Divide. Walking my loaded Tour bike to the wall of gas station felt akin to that of a loaded BMW R 1200. No way I can pedal this pig! And then, once aboard, the thing moves almost effortlessly. In fact, there is a noted sensation of momentum. Thank goodness. Overall, the front loaded panniers were something I would do again.

Spinning out the miles to Grand Marais I felt a combination of urgency to arrive (knowing that I did not have many miles in my legs lately,) marvel at the energy I had, and wonder at the yellow and orange light pouring through the trees. Magical, quiet (except for the crunch of gravel,) transportive. This is a familiar stew of emotions that stir up for me when traveling by bicycle. I enjoyed this gift of time, landscape, motion and machinery. Flying the final miles down CR 7 into Grand Marais always makes a person feel like a superhuman, too.

I brought Hank, Red’s understudy, for this local trip. He’s quiet and does a good job of tending to the morning coffee.

Hank and million dollar campsite by Grand Marais harbor.

The municipal campground in Grand Marais is really unlike any campground I have been to in the US. We use it frequently for our events and have for years. For one, it has some of the best real estate in town. Two, it is an eclectic mix of seasonal trailer renters and fly by night adventurers like me. And though there are a few van people that never show their faces, most are friendly older folk, sitting by their fires and saying ‘hello’ as you walk by.

During the pandemic, I took to shopping for vintage camping gear. This particular piece (below) was an Ebay find, a late 60’s era Eddie Bauer down bag, when still made in Seattle. The no-zipper (weight saving?) and aluminum barrel cord lock won my heart. It reminds me of the sleeping bags and coats my mom used to make from Frostline.

Grand Marais and the town campground share a few special quirks. One, either because of the predominant wind direction or unique acoustics of the harbor shore…or maybe just some left over magic hangover from the 70’s, is that local guitar acts playing at the Gunflint Tavern will be your soundtrack for the whole night. And it is always covers of John Denver, Gordan Lightfoot, Neil Diamond or Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (“Mr Bojangles.”) This time, as I was enjoying the warmth of the fire, Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” floated over the shore and mixed with the woodsmoke hanging over the camp. It’s an acquired taste but I still like it.

Timber frame skeleton, North House Folk School.

The calm water at the North House Folk School dock made for fun impressionistic shots of the Hjordis schooner.

The North House Folk School has always had a special power over me. I taught a few fishing rod building classes there years ago. It has kept its mystique with its crafted buildings, amazing light, and welcoming grounds. Adjacent to the campground it always makes me dream of blacksmithing my own coat hooks to hang in my hand built timber frame cabin. Someday.

Skin kayak, North House Folk School

To mix it up, I decided it would be interesting to try riding as much of the Gitchi Gami State Trail as possible back to Finland. Note to self and others, though the trail itself is quite beautiful, the stretches of Hwy 61 between completed sections of the trail are scary. I won’t be attempting that anytime soon. It was a relief to finally make CR 6 in Little Marais and begin the steady climb toward Finland. What a relief to be off of 61.

Always, a short trip is better than no trip at all. 24 hour trips have a special ability to reset your brain. I plan on keeping my gear close for another foray to a destination by bicycle.

Gitchi Gami State Trail is amazing. Bridge over Temperance River

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.