Thank you from our kitchen table Heck of the North Productions headquarters! To all of our dedicated and friendly volunteers…we could not do this without you (and to Avesa Rockwell for organizing this so well.) To all of you who traveled near and far to be part of the Heck experience, thank you! It has always been worth the blood, sweat and tears on our side, and again, in 2021, it is even more so.
I saw so many things going the right direction in gravel cycling this year. I saw new faces of all ages, colors and sizes. Awesome! I saw welcoming racers, both veteran and new. Thank you. And I saw the perseverance that marks gravel cyclists and especially Heck/Le Grand athletes. This never ceases to inspire.
Chris Pascone and family racing the 20 mile Heck! Photo Evan Frost Photography
True grit demonstrated by Joseph Kelsey age 72. And to Newt Colburn, age 72, who won his esteemed division in 8:48! Thank you for being part of the Heck of the North! Photo Jeremy Kershaw
We are already planning 2022. Here is a date to add to your calendar. Le Grand du Nord, Grand Marais, May 28, 2022. We are working on some new gravel goodness for 2022 and sorting out the date for The Heck of the North. Stay tuned for these.
Here is a special note to the Duluth Devo Mountain Bike Program. And especially Patrick Greehan and Brian Hayden and their group of dedicated coaches and volunteers. I was blown away by the great spirit and athleticism I witnessed at the event. Chapeau!
And thank you to Emily Richey and Kyle Cook for opening their beautiful farmstead, Agate Acres Farm, for our new Heck Basecamp.
Some of the amazing athletes from Duluth Devo Mountain Bike Program. Photo Jeremy Kershaw
And thank you to our incredible sponsors! They add support, flavor and great product to our events.
View the OtsoCycles Gallery of Heck images created by Evan Frost. Otso Cycles has generously made these photos available to download for free. Please give a shout out to Evan and Otso Cycles if used publicly. Use the Code: “Otso” to access.
Until next time, Ride the Good Line!
Jeremy Kershaw and Avesa Rockwell
P.S (And to Bone Saw Cycling Collective for being arguably the most supportive gravel club I have ever seen!)
