Check out our latest batch of Ride the Good Line tees and hats at the Heck of the North Pop Up Store. Thanks to our friends at Duluth Screen Printing. We do good work together! Store closes on August 16!
Rolling. Photo Tone Coughlin
We have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Heck of the North. Due to current state guidelines, we simply cannot obtain the permits we need to run the event. We understand the reasons for these safeguards, and we are committed to promoting health among our riders, volunteers, and communities.
In the next few days, UltraSignup will email a query to each 2020 Heck registrant to select one of the following options:
Have your entry fee funded at 90% (the 10% will help cover costs and work time incurred so far this year and into 2021, as well as fees associated with refunds. Ultrasignup can only refund credit cards transactions that are fewer than 90 days old— all others will be issued by check and mail). We will also refund 100% of your tee shirt order.
Push your 2020 registration to 2021. This will reserve your spot at the same 2020 registration price.
All Flight registrants will automatically be refunded 90% of the remaining balance and 100% of the total tee shirt order.
Please make your selection before Tuesday, August 11, 2020, 11:59 pm. Those who do not respond by this date will automatically receive the 90% refund.
For those who have been gracious enough to offer their registration fees as donations to Heck of the North and Gravel for Good, thank you! UltraSignup’s refund process makes it difficult for us to accept your generous offer, so we will give you opportunities to donate to some exciting new projects next year.
In the meantime, please remember our amazing Sponsors when shopping in Duluth or the North Shore or Minnesota. We also have a cool new collection of Ride the Good Line hats, tees and accessories via our friends at Duluth Screen Printing. Check out the merchandise here.
We encourage you to Ride the Good Line with courage, wisdom and a healthy sense of humor this season. Thanks for your understanding and patience and hope to see you all soon.
Warmly,
Jeremy Kershaw and Family
Good Morning,
We are pausing registration for Heck of the North until further notice. We are continuing to work with our permitting partners as we analyze the course of the Covid 19 pandemic. The State of Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan is one of our guiding factors. This plan has obviously been a work in progress this Summer.
We are planning on having a final decision by July 24 at the latest.
Thank you for your interest in the Heck of the North. We missed you at Le Grand du Nord and the Heck Epic. We will communicate our decision ASAP. Until then, continue to ride, wear a mask and make healthy choices for your family and community! Thanks for your patience.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Kershaw Director Heck of the North Productions
Alexandera meets new friends on trail to Ely
I had the pleasure and honor of scouting our new bikepacking course with Alexandera Houchin. We rode the 320 miles from Two Harbors to Ely to Grand Marais and back to Two Harbors to double check sections that mapping from home just can’t interpret. Along the way, we discussed social justice, what makes a good story, gear, bikes, books, and Tour Divide memories.
We also happened upon this fella taking his goat, donkey and gigantic dog for a walk. The world seemed to be painted in nothing but bright green and blue. It was good to get those long miles in, wanting to keep going past the towns, into the woods, sleeping when you finally get tired. This is bikepacking.
I am in the process of re-discovering what this region of Minnesota means for cycling, public use, and how cyclists fit into its history and future. In this crazy period of history, this style of cycling still provides both a place to think and plan as well as tune out and unwind. I am often solo during these scouting trips and having an extremely capable exploring companion (other than the Charlie Farrow) was a major bonus. Alexandera is exceptionally strong, insightful and big hearted.
We will be providing these fresh route gpx files to those who registered for the cancelled Heck Epic. We will also be working with Trackleaders.com so that those interested in racing against the clock can log their individual time trials (ITT) publicly. I know personally that there is space for both those who want to challenge themselves incognito (no gps tracking device) and those who want the world to see their efforts (via Trackleaders.com.) Mostly, though, I look forward to the next season we can run this event with both the challenge of racing and the joys of socializing. Hang in there!
Ride the Good Line
Jeremy Kershaw
Bull moose on our way to Finland, MN.
One of the best parts of The Heck Epic is its social design. But now, in the time of Covid, one of the toughest parts of The Heck Epic —is its social design. We tried to figure out how over 100 of us could ride, camp, and dine together from July 17-19 without risking exposure to our riders, volunteers, and the communities we visit. It was a no-go. Therefore, we are canceling the event and giving riders the chance to complete the route independently.
We will
Refund each rider 95% of their entry fee
Refund 100% of tee shirt payment
We hope you will
Race an Individual Time Trial (ITT) sometime during this 2020 season. We are working with Trackleaders.com to mark your effort. More to come on this.
Travel to the North Shore of Minnesota in a safe and responsible way. The region’s small businesses are really taking a hit, while its health care resources are also limited. It’s a balancing act with, frankly, not many great alternatives. Please be considerate to the efforts our partners are making to promote healthy actions, including hand-washing, physical distancing, and wearing a mask when in public areas. Thanks to Fireweed Bike Coop, Ely Bike and Kicksled, Taiga Design + Build , Visit Cook County, The US Forest Service , Cedaero Custom Frame Bags , Epicurean, Fika Coffee, and Cascade Vacation Rentals. Our partners are the best. Thank you.
Buy a tee shirt if you complete the ITT version of the Heck Epic. These are in design now with our friends at Duluth Screen Printing
I know that riding the Heck Epic course solo is not the same as what we share together for our normal Heck Epic events. That being said, I also know that riding solo has special rewards. And I am 100% certain that more time spent cycling through the woods, challenging yourself in new ways and sleeping under the stars are all great actions in the time of Covid (or any other time, too.) We will have the route on Trackleaders.com by June 15. Stay tuned.
Thank you for being part of the Heck Epic experience. It’s just a tough year for us all. Let’s make the best of it and be leaders in creative, respectful, and responsible adventure cycling.
Keep Riding the Good Line.
Yours,
Jeremy Kershaw, Director Heck of the North Productions
