Photos are ready at Pointed North Photography! Free to download and share. Printing available via the Pointed North website.
We thank Josh for his stunning work for us again this season. He is one of the hardest working photographers out there and he’s got the eye to bring it all together. Check out his other work from Le Grand du Nord, The Fox, and The Wolf.
Taking the reigns. Avesa rocked it! Photo Pointed North Photography
Our hearts are filled again after this edition of The Heck of the North Gravel Classic. With me working from the sidelines with Covid and Avesa taking the reigns in full…we both feel an immense sense of gratitude for our amazing team of volunteers. And we are so thankful that Heck riders continue to be fantastic people. I say it every year, but it is because of the incredible energy and spirit you bring to the event why we keep doing our best each gravel season. And again, Avesa Rockwell was a star heading up the event! Thank you!
Results. Please see the Heck Results page or visit Duluth Timing & Events Please contact them if you have a discrepency about time or event distance.
Awards!
Fastest Female 105 Mile Race: Risa Hustad 6:44:26
Fastest Male 105 Mile Race: Dalton Collins 5:24:48
Toughest 105 Mile Race: Casey Dickinson and Lisa Byrne 10:17:16
Fastest Female 56 Mile Race: Emily Flynn 3:09:57
Fastest Male 56 Mile Race: Sean Cooley 2:28:31
Toughest 56 Mile Race: Britta Peterson 8:37:10
Fastest Female 20 Mile Race: Marilyn Ailey 1:13:34
Fastest Male 20 Mile Race: 1:10:26
Toughest 20 Mile Race: 3:29:36
Photos. Josh at Pointed North Photography will have race photos ready later this week. I prioritize photographic work at our events and I think Josh has done an incredible job this season of capturing the feel of the races. These photos are free for you to download and share. Unfortunately, with me away from the finish line, I was not able to grab my batch of shots…including the fastest and slowest and everyone in between. Please share those photos with me and I look forward to getting them our into the world!
Sponsors. Thank you to our business sponsors that help bring really cool product to our events. We appreciate your support!
Heck Store. If you missed a sale at the event, we will have our Heck Store restocked online later this week. Shop online and we will get Heck gear shipped your way.
2024. We, of course, start planning the next season as soon as the last rider crosses the line. Stay tuned for event dates by the end of October. He hope to have you back!
The crossing of the Knife. Leaders in deep. Photo Pointed North Photography
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
Holy mackerel! What a couple of weeks of cycling in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Chequamegon MTB Festival, The Marji Gesick, Race Across Duluth, Hodag, Slender James Classic and more! We are so fortunate to have these folks racing, creating and producing. And so lucky to call this place home.
We are putting the finishing touches on the upcoming Heck of the North. Our 15th version is going to be beautiful. We look forward to seeing old friends and new riders both at this edition.
A couple of thoughts about gear. We welcome all types of rigs (just not electric) and ask that you have that thing dialed in to be comfortable and safe. There are some rough sections that will rock and roll you so dial in your rig. Yes, most of the routes are on Minnesota’s finest gravel. The 100 mile will have two crossings of our famous snowmobile trail plus a serving or three of ATV trail. The 56 mile will enjoy the same, minus the snowmobile sector. And the 20 mile (actually about 18 this year) will get a perfect sampling of what the Heck of the North is all about.
Tires. I have gone down the rabbit hole many times in the last few years. Go wide, as wide as your frame will comfortably handle. We are not sponsored in any way by Jan and Rene Herse, but if you care to go down the tire rabbit hole too, here you go. It is arguably some of the best writing on tire design and practical usage out there. In general, a wider tire offers more comfort which in turn means better posture and therefore more power. Of course there are limits, but the proof is in the pudding. And please do not pump your tires up to crazy high pressures thinking that it will make for a faster tire. It will simply make you miserable and unsafe. For most 30-40 mm wide tires, think the low 30 lbs psi as a starting place.
Parking. Please, please consider carpooling to the race. We have limited space and have to play the balancing game of welcoming new riders and where to put the cars. Our multitalented volunteers will do their best to play both gravel volunteer extraordinaires as well as parking guides. Be nice, patient and come early to limit this stress! Thank you!
And that handsome award up there? We’re not much for podiums but we do like a hearty congratulation to not only our fastest riders but also our toughest. What is toughest? It’s those riders that come across the finish line last. In this sport, as we say, if you’re gonna be slow, you gotta be tough. We love the stories from the back of the pack. Keep it up!
Stay tuned for a short but fresh Heck Route Scout report next week. Until then, be well and come prepared to be Graveleer!
Jeremy
A little bit of Bear Pit sector (105 and 56 mile course)
A taste of the last three miles…the Alger Grade Forest! Photo Jeremy
Welcome Graveleers!
First things first. We have finalized our Heck of the North start list. Please go to the BikeReg Heck page to see your status. One may also change their event distance until September 15 by using the “Edit my Entry” dropdown tab. We appreciate your patience with this process and site as we experienced some wonky tech issues.
Very Important! We need volunteers! Each year, our dedicated crew of volunteers makes the Heck happen. It’s as simple as that. Without these amazing folks, there is no Heck! Sign up here! Please consider joining our team for the event. If your family is around while you are racing, it could be a great way for them to join in the action. At 6 hours of time, a volunteer earns a free entry to a Heck of the North Productions event (Le Grand du Nord or Heck of the North) that can also be transferred to a family member. We will make sure your time, whether an hour or all day, is worth it and a valuable experience for you. Thank you for making the Heck happen!
Very Very Important! Race start times have changed (for safety logistics.)
105 Milers start at 8 AM and end at 8:15 AM.
56 Milers start at 8:30 AM and end at 8:45 AM.
20 Milers start at 9 AM and end at 9:15 AM.
All racers seeking a podium place must start at their “gun time” 8, 8:30 or 9 depending on your distance.
I am a restless race planner as many Heck veterans know. I have added a new stretch of trail that all Heck distances will use as the approach to the finish line. In another nod to our namesake, Paris Roubaix, “The Hell of the North,” we are dubbing the finishing last three miles the “Alger Grade Forest.” At the Paris Roubaix, The Arenberg Forest, is considered to be one of the most difficult sectors in all of cycling. Our Alger Grade Forest is not that bad! But prepare for 50 yards of sand, a few soccer ball size rocks and plenty of careful line selecting. This is an ATV trail that is actually quite fast…but that is where the danger lurks! Watch your line as you pick through the chunky stuff. And of course, be courteous and respectful to our motorized friends who may be sharing their trail with us on race day!
We are also asking all participants to arrive at the Heck start area well before 7:45 am. We will close our parking lot at that time and route overflow parking to Co Hwy 2, east shoulder. Please consider car pooling and be mindful of other cars and cyclists when driving in!
And all participants will get a delicious bowl of chili served up at the Heck Tent after your finish. The crew from the Vanilla Bean will be dishing their finest.
Thank you for being part of another Heck experience. See you soon!
Jeremy and Avesa and The Heck Team
