New Perspectives

Photo by Josh Kowaleski POINTED NoRTH PHOTOGRAPHY

We at Heck of the North Productions are very excited to welcome local photographer, Josh Kowaleski at POINTED NoRTH PHOTOGRAPHY to the events this season. Recently, Josh Rizzo at The Nxrth caught up with Kowaleski for a look into his work.

I’ve known Josh for years and it’s been really cool to watch his creativity come alive, especially behind the lens. I now consider him to be one of the best photographers in the Northland. He has some very unique ideas coming into the season and both of us can’t wait to have you be part of it. Josh will be photographing all of our events this year and the process will be one of a kind.

Stay tuned for more and check out the article above.

Ride the Good Line!

Jeremy

Nerd Alert

In the meanwhile, I have fallen back into the fold of Bicycle Quarterly, what I now consider to be one of the finest publications in cycling. (No, I am not sponsored, etc by BQ) In particular, I have appreciated the work of Jan Heine and his team as they test the merits of tires, especially wider tires and how they compare to narrower ones. He also has an appreciation for cycling history and the phenomenon of what is old is new again.

As you prepare for the upcoming season, check out this latest journal piece: "Why wider tires are NOT slower"

More soon about our stellar group of partners.

Ride the Good Line!

Jeremy

More Sponsors!

Photo Clint Austin at Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais

At Heck of the North Productions, we love working with our dedicated band of local sponsors. We remain a business run from our kitchen table. And the partnerships we form with other sponsors comes from our appreciation of creative, hard-working entrepreneurs looking to bring great products to gravel cycling. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time, our sponsors help the events by volunteering their time. And sometimes, they bring really great product to give to some lucky riders. We appreciate this commitment and layer of energy they bring to the events. Thank you!

Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais happens to be our long time partners with Le Grand du Nord. They have helped host and party with the event from the beginning. Their hand crafted drinks are some of the finest around and I know you will love the special atmosphere they help create at Le Grand. Stop by when you are up the North Shore.

And the amazing part about gravel cycling is the endless and sometimes surprising connections made by riding miles of gravel together. Here’s a shout out to Lake Superior Dental for supplying toothbrushes to our Fox bikepacking race. Dr Polzin is an avid cyclist and it just turns out he digs our events. And those toothbrushes are the best bikepacking dental gear on the planet. I use mine everyday, actually.

More to come!

Welcome Back

Before the gravel dust gets flying, a series of quick nods to our partner sponsors!

HED Cycling has been part of our events since the early days. We could not ask more from a cycling sponsor. Dedication to gravel cycling, amazing wheels, great customer service and a business headquartered here in Minnesota. And some of the best crepe makers in gravel cycling!

They will once again be back in 2022, donating two sets of their incredible wheels for a lucky rider. I have used HED wheels for thousands of gravel miles and also my Tour Divide adventure. Check them out if you need a new set of hoops.

Introducing Josh Rizzo at

“the Nxrth”

I wanted to share an interview created by Josh Rizzo via his new site, “the nxrth.” This looks to be a great website focussing on Northern cycling. Thanks, Josh, for taking up the work and sharing your thoughts.

Registration for all Heck of the North Production events is coming along well. I recommend getting your name in soon as, like last year, we are booking faster each year. Head over to the home page and proceed from there.

I hope you are enjoying the Winter months whether it be by fat bike, ski or dogsled. We have new stories and partnerships building this season and will be sharing them soon. Be in touch at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com.

Ride the Good Line!

Jeremy

Avesa on her way to Grand Marais.