Holy mackerel! What a couple of weeks of cycling in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Chequamegon MTB Festival, The Marji Gesick, Race Across Duluth, Hodag, Slender James Classic and more! We are so fortunate to have these folks racing, creating and producing. And so lucky to call this place home.

We are putting the finishing touches on the upcoming Heck of the North. Our 15th version is going to be beautiful. We look forward to seeing old friends and new riders both at this edition.

A couple of thoughts about gear. We welcome all types of rigs (just not electric) and ask that you have that thing dialed in to be comfortable and safe. There are some rough sections that will rock and roll you so dial in your rig. Yes, most of the routes are on Minnesota’s finest gravel. The 100 mile will have two crossings of our famous snowmobile trail plus a serving or three of ATV trail. The 56 mile will enjoy the same, minus the snowmobile sector. And the 20 mile (actually about 18 this year) will get a perfect sampling of what the Heck of the North is all about.

Tires. I have gone down the rabbit hole many times in the last few years. Go wide, as wide as your frame will comfortably handle. We are not sponsored in any way by Jan and Rene Herse, but if you care to go down the tire rabbit hole too, here you go. It is arguably some of the best writing on tire design and practical usage out there. In general, a wider tire offers more comfort which in turn means better posture and therefore more power. Of course there are limits, but the proof is in the pudding. And please do not pump your tires up to crazy high pressures thinking that it will make for a faster tire. It will simply make you miserable and unsafe. For most 30-40 mm wide tires, think the low 30 lbs psi as a starting place.

Parking. Please, please consider carpooling to the race. We have limited space and have to play the balancing game of welcoming new riders and where to put the cars. Our multitalented volunteers will do their best to play both gravel volunteer extraordinaires as well as parking guides. Be nice, patient and come early to limit this stress! Thank you!

And that handsome award up there? We’re not much for podiums but we do like a hearty congratulation to not only our fastest riders but also our toughest. What is toughest? It’s those riders that come across the finish line last. In this sport, as we say, if you’re gonna be slow, you gotta be tough. We love the stories from the back of the pack. Keep it up!

Stay tuned for a short but fresh Heck Route Scout report next week. Until then, be well and come prepared to be Graveleer!

Jeremy