On the North Shore State Trail, 105 mile route
So, first things first. I tested positive for Covid today. Avesa, my partner, will be taking over the event in collaboration with our team of amazing volunteers. Avesa is a rockstar and knows this event better than anyone. But I ask for your patience as we move forward with this difficult turn of events. Thank you!
Wet. That’s the word for the event. Last weekend most of the Heck course saw anywhere from 3-6 inches of rain. What does this mean?
The 20 mile course will see some puddles on the ATV trails. The gravel roads should be in decent shape on Saturday.
The 56 miles course will see some large puddles on the Bailey Road to Bear Pit sector. Again, the final three miles of ATV trail to the finish will be firm but with puddles.
The 105 mile course is where The Heck becomes The Heck. The North Shore State Trail snowmobile sector at miles 11 and then again on the return at mile 50 has significant wet areas where your feet will get wet. Most of the trail is hard packed and very rideable. But those sections (where they are every year) of historic wetness are very much there this year. Then, at mile 53, the Knife River is now 20 yards wide and about 18 inches deep. This will be a full river crossing and your feet will be wet. It is not dangerous as the current is mild, and will probably go down by Saturday. But there is no getting around this wet foot river crossing. The good news is that the checkpoint is just a couple of miles down the road.
It may not be the worst idea to bring a pair of dry socks for those riding the 100 mile course.
The forecast looks for showers on Friday night and then warm and decent on Saturday. This is good news!
To put this in context, we have certainly had conditions like this before. It’s what makes The Heck the Heck! The roads are in decent shape, though certainly not as hero as they were last week.
If you are still debating tires, I would opt for ones with some knobs instead of a file tread. Wide is good!
Camping! Here is the link to all route files including a Heck Landmarks map showing the two camping locations. Camping at Agate Acres (by reservation only) begins at about 4 pm on Friday and departure is by noon on Sunday. The good folks at Agate Acres will be emailing all registered campers with details about logistics of camping once there. The gravel parking lot is open all the time for those looking to have primitive (no water/electricity) place to set up their trailer or Sprinter.
Start times! Please be aware of wave starts for your event. 105 mile begins at 8AM until 8:15. the 56 mile begins at 8:30 and ends at 8:45. The 20 mile begins at 9 AM and ends at 9:15. All events are starting in the northern parking lot by the Heck Basecamp Tent. This is a neutral roll out for all events (until crossing Hwy 2 for the 105 and 56) and until out of the lot for the 20 milers.
Thank you for your patience as we bring you this event under difficult circumstances. You are what bring us back year after year. Thank you for being Graveleer!
Jeremy, Avesa and the Heck Team
