The Fox and The Wolf, Bikepacking events for Summer 2023

photo Jeremy Kershaw

We are going all in this coming Summer 2023. Not only are we hosting our well received, shorter bikepacking event, The Fox but also our longest bikepacking race ever, The Wolf.

The concept of our bikepacking events are somewhat hybrid. We know the challenge and experiences achieved by racing during the day. But we also love the small community of participants we get to share each night. We think it is the best of both worlds; adventure race travel by day and time spent with other amazing people around the fire at night.

The Fox is a great introduction to the world of bikepack style racing. It’s two days, one night and each day is about 65 miles. We had a blast hosting it this Summer and we can’t wait to go again July 1-2, 2023.

The Wolf is something that has been cooking for over two years. Rising from the bones of our Heck Epic, The Wolf is a three day, three night trip traveling from Two Harbors to Ely to Grand Marais back to Two Harbors. Each day is about 100 miles of amazing North Shore wildness. The Wolf will run from July 21-23, 2023.

Both events are timed and all riders must carry the equipment they need for sleeping out under the stars. Breakfasts and simple aid station each day will be supplied by our team. Suppers will be on you in town.

We will be capping each event at 75 riders (for camping reasons.) Registration for ALL Heck of the North Production events will begin January 3 via this website and BikeReg.com. Stay tuned for details as we get logistics set for Summer.

Ride the Good Line,

Jeremy Kershaw

Logos by Andrea Halligan of Duluth

logo by Andrea Halligan of Duluth

Chloe and Bodee and their Fox Stories

Thank you to the good folks at BIKEPACKING.com for covering our stories from The Fox, our Summer bikepacking race. Thanks to Duluth DEVO Mountain Bike Program for fostering young athletes and the parents who support! And special thanks to Bodee and Chloe for taking the extra time to write up their stories! Great work all around!

https://bikepacking.com/news/2022-the-fox-stage-race/

Todd McFadden, Bodee McFadden and Chloe Leege finishing The Fox. Photo by Josh Kowaleski

Gravel for Good 2022

This mural was completed in August 2017 by NSRGNTS (lead artist Votan Ik), with help from over 50 community members who came to assist the artists in finishing the designs on the jingle dress. The mural is located at Gimaajii-Mino-Bimaadizimin (202 W. 2nd Street, Duluth, MN) overlooking our solar rooftop gardens.

Our way of giving back to local communities. Each organization will receive $500 from Heck of the North Productions

We are proud to donate to the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO.) In their words: “We started with nothing. Today, we offer an American Indian Community Center, 44 units of permanent supportive housing, a domestic violence emergency shelter, legal advocacy, a climate and cultural resiliency initiative, social enterprise activities, youth programming and an arts and culture initiative. All of our work is anchored in our mission to honor the resiliency of Indigenous people by strengthening communities and centering Indigenous values in all aspects of our work. Our philosophy is that every American Indian person deserves to live in non-violent and non-threatening environment and has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.”

We feel honored to be partnering with New Horizons Foundation and the transformative work being carried out by Dana and Brandi Bates (and our local friend, Dave Nonnemacher of Duluth!) in the Jiu River Valley of Transylvania, Lupeni (say ‘Lu-pen’), Romania our gravel cycling Sister City.

We are proud to sponsor the Northwoods Cycling Team in Two Harbors and Lake County. This team will promote local racing, training and cycling education options for all levels of cyclists.

We will also be donating to the Superior Cycling Association in Grand Marais and Cook county. This organization works to build trail and promote cycling in this beautiful part of the world.

Duluth, Grand Marais, Ely and Two Harbors are fortunate to have strong and growing cycling communities. But more could always be done. We hope to contribute toward making cycling more accessible to all ages and incomes in our region. Thanks for helping out.

-Jeremy Kershaw (founder)

Remember That Time...!

Photo by Josh Kowaleski at Pointed North Photography

Remember that time when…?!

Registration for Le Grand du Nord and The Heck of the North goes live on January 3, 2023 via this Heck of the North Productions website.

Le Grand du Nord is Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Heck of the North is Saturday, September 30, 2023.

We are still working on The Fox and The Wolf. Stay tuned! And remember, weddings, pandemics, insurrections and general road rash are not allowed on those dates. Thanks for your consideration.

Thanks and Ride the Good Line!

Thank You!

Young Graveleer! Photo Josh Kowaleski

Thank you!

Thank you for bringing that incredible energy and spirit to this edition of The Heck of the North. We saw so many Graveleers this year, both seasoned veterans and new riders of gravel and The Heck. We are filled with gratitude.

Here is the gallery of photos that Josh Kowaleski of Pointed North Photography created from the day. There are so many great images that I had a hard time selecting just a few. Please download, share and purchase via this website. Thank you, Josh, for all of your commitment and hard work this season. You helped capture what our Heck of the North Productions events are made of: amazing people cycling the wilds of the North Shore.

We are so thankful for our Heck Volunteer Corp this year. I have heard nothing but positive and warm comments about this team. We could not do this thing without you. Thank you!

We are planning the 2023 season as soon as the last rider comes across the line. Stay tuned for dates and information about registration (usually the first week of January.)

Thank you to our sponsors. A big nod to Northland Larder who provided the delicious soups post race. To Almanac Coffee who came on board last minute to get amazing coffee into our bloodstream. To Kris at Duluth Timing and Events who weathers the weather and me all day at the finish line.

Thank you to the intrepid Avesa Rockwell who has been my Heck partner from the beginning.

Please contact me with comments, suggestions or questions at jeremybkershaw@gmail.com. Always happy to help.

Ride the Good Line

Jeremy Kershaw and the Heck Corp

Photo Josh Kowaleski

Photo Josh Kowaleski

Photo Josh Kowaleski

Photo josh Kowaleski

Photo Josh Kowaleski

Photo Josh Kowaleski

Photo Josh Kowaleski

Photo Josh Kowaleski