Photo by Tone Coughlin
Welcome to the 11th annual Heck of the North gravel cycling classic! We are so glad you are able to join us.
We are expecting a record number of cyclists this year. Our first goal is to make sure all riders feel welcomed and part of the Heck experience. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a first time gravel rider, we want your Heck experience to be a rich one. Please keep the great gravel tradition of hospitality alive and well this year at the event. Take a second to say “Hi” to people you may not know. We have some of the most amazing people in sport today. Thanks for being great gravel riding citizens!
Here are some important details:
The Heck of the North is a SELF-SUPPORTED event. Please come prepared! There is very limited cell coverage. Please know how to take care of yourself and your bike while on course. We do not offer sag support. We have great volunteers helping at our checkpoints. Please be courteous and thankful for these people supporting you and the event!
Registration check-in is Friday, September 27 at Spokengear/Cedar Coffee in Two Harbors between 5-8 PM. Please park in the ShopKo parking lot next to the store.
We will offer a brief check-in on Saturday morning between 6:30-7:30 AM before the event at the start area (NOT Spokengear). Please try to register on Friday if possible. Thank you!
Camping! We are encouraging camping at the start area this year! But please camp in the northern lot (not the southern lot where the Heck start tent is located.) If tenting, please keep tent near your vehicle and try to save space for others. If bringing a trailer, please place your rig here. We have limited spots for trailers, so keep it organized on that lower edge of the Northern lot. Please feel free to have a campfire etc. But please be self-contained. We will have porta-toilets but no water. Please come prepared with food and water. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics. Thank you!
The finish line will be in the southern parking lot. We will have awesome Heck merchandise for sale all day (including some cool new A.C.E. Wraps and Hold Em’s) This year, Otso Cycles will be helping us party at the finish. We are planning more bonfires, a food truck or two and places to hang out and share your tales from the day. Not quite Burning Man…but we really want to grow this part of the Heck experience. Bring an instrument and add to the fun.
We will hand out cue cards at time of check-in. If this is your first time using them, read THIS first. We will not be providing gpx files for the courses.
Please contact Jeremy at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com if you know you are unable to attend. It is OK to pick up packets for other riders just be sure that each rider gets the appropriate bib # corresponding to their name.
If, for some reason, you do not make the start line after picking up and checking in, please text Jeremy 952.303.2101 with this info.
During the event, if you drop out, please contact Jeremy or a volunteer to relay this information to our time keepers.
Thank you again for being part of this event. Please visit our Sponsor Page if you are out and about shopping or looking for strong supporters of gravel cycling. Safe travels to the event and we will see you soon!
Ride the Good Line
Jeremy Kershaw
jeremybkershaw@gmail.com