Great people race The Fox. Photo Josh Kowaleski
The Fox Bikepacking Race is back for 2024. Due to epic storm damage the week of June 17, we were forced to postpone the event. The good news is that it is back! Save the date for September 14-15, 2024. And we have a few spots available!
Please go HERE to register. We are so appreciative of those participants who were flexible enough to keep their spots for this later date. And we welcome new riders who may now have the opportunity to join us.
Photo Clint Austin
There are not more than a handful of people whom I read from start to finish when they write online. Hansi Johnson (@hansski43) is one such person. Another, one of my all time favorites, is Alexandera Houchin (@alexanderahouchin). Just beautifully honest, humorous and wise. Most of you have by now heard of or read about her travels, racing and thoughts on life and community. She is a must read.
Just a couple of days ago, a Heck Productions racer named Pat Moore shared his thoughts on his recent Tour Divide attempt. It was one that is close to my heart and I felt worth sharing. With his permission, it is here. Maybe tuck this away for the next time your journey takes a different route than you were planning. Selfishly, we are thrilled to have Pat here racing The Wolf Bikepacking event next weekend. Enjoy and thank you.
“It feels like I’m beating a dead horse, but I promise, this is my last Tour Divide related post. I’ve been reflecting a lot on not finishing the race, what that means, and how I am going to respond. I, like many people, really suck at handling failure. Failing can feel like the worst. I am proud of the 1,000 miles I was able to ride, but that was not my goal; 2,700 miles to the border was.
The main feeling I’ve had since dropping out is anger. My whole body felt so good, so why did my neck have to give out? On the final pass, a notoriously challenging one called Lava Mountain, it became glaringly obvious that I could not continue. I laid down in the woods and called my neck some pretty nasty things.
I’ve run the gamut on unhealthy ways to respond that mostly center around regret. I’ve questioned not taking a couple more rest days in Butte. I’ve questioned my aggressiveness out of the gate. I’ve questioned my physical toughness. I’ve questioned my drive. I’ve questioned why I attempted the Tour Divide in the first place. Although reflection is critical, none of these questions really helped.
So, how do I respond? Well, keep biking for one. In the days after dropping out, my brain screamed to be on the bike while my body begged me to eat and be idle. The only times I felt okay mentally was on my bike.
The only healthy way to process my failure to complete the Tour Divide is to practice gratitude to have gotten to experience even a part of this incredible, ridiculous, beautiful, outrageous bikepacking route. I’ve registered for a couple more ultra distance bike races (nothing like the Tour Divide), but demanding in their own right. And even better, they happen to be in the wonderful state I call home.
I believe bikepacking is the best way to see the world and meet new people. One of my biggest priorities as a father is to show that to my two boys. Bikepacking forces you to slow down, self-reflect, and cherish the highs while navigating the lows.
So why post all of this on a public forum like Facebook? Well, to be honest, I am terrible at sharing my thoughts with people. I am not great at being vulnerable with anyone outside of my own family for that matter. I want to write a book someday and I better practice being a bit more “public” with my thoughts.”
Photo by Josh Kowaleski
Summer! I am loving how incredibly lush it is this year. No wildfire smoke. The creeks are full. Our local woods are greener than any time I can remember. It’s really good to see.
With that life has come some pretty powerful destruction to person-made things, too, courtesy of the June 16 storm. Roads and trails here on the North Shore have been battered by that event. It has forced us to make significant changes to our Wolf Bikepacking Race. In fact, our whole stage to Ely had to be omitted. We are saddened by this change but are making adaptive changes to continue on. The Wolf is a two day event now but it remains challenging, beautiful and a lively community of cyclists in the making. We do have a few spots open if you want to join us this July 20-21. Go to our BikeReg page to register!.
Our Fox Bikepacking Race was has been moved to September 14-15. We will have a few spots opening for that event, too, after July 12. Stay tuned for that announcement. The route thankfully remains the same for that event now that crews have worked diligently to repair troubled areas and the Baptism River has receded.
In the meanwhile, we hope you are enjoying watching the last dots of the Tour Divide, the freaks of the Tour de France and most importantly your own time on two wheels.
Ride the Good Line. Jeremy
Velocity USA really bring their game to The Fox and The Wolf. Photo Josh Kowaleski
We are so grateful for the amazing business partners that help bring our events to life. We work only with the best in the business and are proud of the relationships we have built over the years. North Shore, Minnesota, and USA made products that add greatness to the gravel cycling community. Please consider these partners when shopping for your provisions or planning your Fox Bikepacking weekend. Thank you!
Cedaero Two Harbors based bike bag sewers and designers are the best in the business! They are offering gift certificates for our fastest riders. Dan and his crew are great and we are so fortunate to have them as partners here on the North Shore.
Embark Maple Syrup Our Wisconsin based maple syrup suppliers. Eric, Bree and their team are the best maple energy makers in the business. We are so glad they became part of our sponsor team!
Lake Superior Dental Associates This amazing crew! They generously supply bikepacking approved toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste. We will have the healthiest bikepackers in the country again this year. Thanks for your gracious support!
Lovin Lake County The resource for all of your Lake County vacation and lodging needs.
Velocity USA We are so lucky to have Velocity USA Wheels sponsoring our bikepacking events this year! We will be giving away a beautiful set of Blunt SS wheels, with a dyno hub, that will knock your socks off! These are some of the best wheels in the business and I have used Velocity’s for years.
Visit Cook County Original partners of Heck of the North Prodcutions. If only every event company could have a county based resource like Visit Cook County. Your go-to for Grand Marais and Cook County travel, event and logistical information.
Voyageur Brewing Company Enjoy one of their great craft beers and delicious menu items. We appreciate their support from day one. Be generous and kind to their hard working crew!
Twin Six is generously donating $106 (naturally) to one of our lucky riders. They are a classic Minnesota cycling design, bike and gear maker and we are so happy to have them back as sponsors
Bearskin Lodge is one of the Gunflint Trails most beautiful lodges. They are offering a very cool,3 night Winter stay certificate to one of our lucky riders. I wish I was riding to be able to qualify for this one. Thank you Quinn and family!
This season, we are giving special attention to people who are doing great work in the fields of training and coaching. Hailey Corradi at Northern Movement PT was our first. Today, we are giving a nod to Patrick Greehan at Cornerstone Coaching.
Patrick has been a steady and guiding force in Duluth coaching for years. In particular, his participation in the Duluth Devo Mountain Bike Program has been especially inspirational. Emphasizing life-long appreciation for cycling, Patrick has helped mentor young riders for years.
Patrick’s coaching is one that emphasizes a holistic approach to your cycling goals. Grounded in solid cycling physiological best practice and research, Patrick can help guide you toward your strongest season yet.
Contact Patrick to begin planning!
