Winter's Planning and Travels

testing the rig for a go at the Winter Wolf route

testing the rig for a go at the Winter Wolf route

We are actively planning the 2021 Heck of the North Productions season. Yes, a lot remains in the grey zone pending Covid 19 precautions. But I am again optimistic that we will bring events that are safe, challenging and always beautiful.

I am personally looking forward to some cool new editions to the season. First, we will be offering excellent advice from a mix of Heck veterans to those seeking answers to gravel riding questions. This will be our Gravel Go-To group. These folks will be happy to share knowledge they have learned over years of various types of gravel/bikepacking cycling. Look for this on the website in the next two weeks.

Welcoming and bringing new riders to our events will be our strongest theme this year. We will offer incentives to do so available during online registration. We ask that everyone consider welcoming at least one new person to cycling, and especially to a Heck event. It’s OK to go outside of your comfort zone on this one, too. Think of co-workers, neighbors, folks you may not think are interested in cycling or have never reached out to in this way before. I think it will be great for our sport and our communities as a whole.

We are also looking forward to bringing more group rides starting this early season. These will be a mix of rides focusing on skills, miles and getting to know other local riders.

In the works, too, are at least two group outings focusing on bikepacking skills. Pack-outs, gear, camping skills, distance riding, fishing and artwork while tripping are all topics we would consider addressing for these outings. We will post more on this by registration opening.

We are looking at opening registration on March 1, 2021. We have pushed this back to accomodate for the latest in Covid planning and permitting. We expect to offer our three events; Le Grand du Nord, The Wolf/The Fox bikepacking events, and The Heck of the North. Yes…we are changing the “Heck Epic” to “The Wolf” and introducing a shorter version called, “The Fox.” We will introduce these events in the next post this coming week. They will be formatted the same, just updating to a more fitting name!

And I am excited to have a go on the Winter Wolf Route this month. It will be a great test of Winter bikepacking skills. I will be sharing that experience this month upon my return. Consider riding it yourself and sharing your trip stories with us!

Thanks for your patience as we navigate a new season. We can hardly wait to bring a new season of gravel goodness to you.

Ride the Good Line!

Jeremy and the Heck Team

The Winter Wolf Route

Farrow is cooking which is also a lot like setting one’s bike on fire. It tasted good regardless.

Farrow is cooking which is also a lot like setting one’s bike on fire. It tasted good regardless.

This Winter, I thought I would share one of my favorite routes during the cold season.

Open here for the: Winter Wolf Route (Note that this route is on plowed roads, except for the two unmaintained sections. I highly recommend studded tires. The counties do an impressive job of plowing, but often icy spots remain.)

In particular, I wanted a course that would usually, almost certainly, necessitate a sleep— OUTSIDE.

TO BE CLEAR: This is NOT a Heck event. I am sharing a route and a challenge that might inspire you to get outside and test your gear and fortitude; a fun way to shake up this long, homebound year.

To spice things up, I am suggesting a very UNOFFICIAL challenge to those that may want to ride this course. And of course, you may use this route in any way you deem acceptable to you. Here are the guidelines I will be suggesting for myself and you for this challenge.

  1. This is an unsupported (no team, friend, family, self-cached) challenge. Riders may only have support from public businesses on or near the route.

  2. This challenge will take place any time between December 15, 2020 and March 15, 2021.

  3. Please be safe regarding the spread of Covid 19. Wear a face mask when near others. We want to limit the spread to this region as much as possible. Please take this aspect seriously.

  4. Riders taking this challenge agree to sleep outside. No motels, houses, cabins, etc. Use your bivy, tent, whatever. Camping is NOT allowed this Winter at USFS campgrounds, though, due to Covid and constraints on USFS personnel. Camping or bivvying is only allowed on public USFS land that is not an official campground. You are allowed to camp at the Grand Marais Municipal CG.

  5. The route contains two sections that are not plowed by the counties. Expect to walk. But they may have snowmobile tracks/traffic. So maybe you will get lucky with riding. Be prepared to push your rig for miles on these two sections.

  6. There is logging truck traffic on these roads. Please be careful. Wear Hi-vis clothing articles. Expect the trucks to not be able to slow down or see you. There may also be snowmobile traffic on the unplowed sections. Everyone has a right to these roads, but again, expect their speed to be a safety risk.

  7. You may time your efforts and share them in the comments of this post. Obviously, conditions will vary dramatically from December 15 through March 15. So these posted times are very relative numbers.

  8. There is only one bar/tavern (The Trestle Inn) on route. Be prepared to melt snow for water or filter from moving water creeks. There are no convenient stores. Pack food and gear accordingly.

My intent with this route is for you to get out and enjoy this region in a time of year that is really special. This ride will also test your cycling and camping skills in Winter. Personally, I am a bit tired of lugging gear around in races and not actually using it. So here’s your chance to go hard but also practice Winter outdoor skills including cold weather sleeping, water making and clothing,moisture management.

Feel free to contact me with stories or photos.

Ride the Good Line,

Jeremy Kershaw

Farrow on the way to Grand Marais.

Farrow on the way to Grand Marais.






Registration for 2021 Heck of the North Production Events

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Hi!

We are planning on opening all events (Le Grand du Nord, “Bikepacking Event” (new name pending!) and The Heck of the North) on February 1, 2021. We are currently building out a new online registration platform. We are also delaying registration this year due to Covid 19. We will continue to monitor the pandemic situation in order to provide the safest events possible. Obviously, we played it conservatively and canceled all of the events for 2020. We are hopeful that 2021 will be safer…so we will plan and try to keep our communities and neighbors as healthy as possible.

In the meanwhile, thank you for your patience, support and good will. Our goal this year is to welcome new cyclists to this beautiful sport. Especially, encouraging those who may not have felt welcome before, for whatever reason. I ask you to be on the lookout for someone that might be ready for the greatness that is gravel cycling up North. We will be adding a financial incentive to do this, as well. Thanks for your help!

Ride the Good Line!

Avesa and Jeremy