Photo Josh Kowaleski

Rules

Please note that all Heck of the North Production events (Le Grand du Nord, The Wolf & The Fox, and The Heck of the North) are self-supported. This means very limited assistance from volunteers, no/very limited signage en-route.

  • All riders are required to sleep outside. This means using the sleeping system you carry on your bike throughout the event (tent, bivy, tarp, sleeping bag, etc.) Motels, cabins, pavilions, or other solid-roofed buildings are forbidden. Please adhere to the simple rules of this event.

  • All riders are responsible for carrying the gear that they need for the trip. This means clothing, sleep kit, tools, nutrition and hydration. Riders will NOT need to bring cooking gear.

  • All riders are expected to have a simple odometer or gps device on their bike. Cell coverage is spotty, unreliable/nonexistent on course. Do not rely on your cell phone for navigation.

  • All riders must wear a helmet. We strongly recommend wearing some sort of eye protection, too.

  • Have a backup plan in place. There is NO Fox sanctioned sag support if you breakdown (physically or mentally) so We will assist as we are able. We have limited volunteers at the checkpoints. In the event of an emergency CALL 911.

  • Drafting (pacelines or riding directly behind another rider) is not allowed. Aero bars are allowed.

  • No E-bikes are allowed. All participants must use a self propelled bicycle (without a motor assist.)

  • Outside support from teams, family, friends is forbidden. Riders ARE allowed to assist other riders if they so choose (nutrition, water, tools, wrenching support, first aid, etc.). Prearranged support will mean disqualification and a public shaming TBD.

  • Please be civil, kind, and friendly to other riders, volunteers and the public. This is not the Tour de France- enjoy yourself, your neighbors and this beautiful part of the world!

  • Always Ride as Far Right as is safe. Please share the road with other cars, ATV’s and users!

  • Lastly- please do not litter. Thanks for being good gravel citizens!

Tips on Gear

For this course we recommend a 29’er style mountain bike (29” diameter wheels) or gravel bike that can accommodate at least 45 mm tires. There are bikepacking specific rigs these days, too. The most important part is that you feel comfortable and the bike can handle gear on rough roads. See my video for some tips on what I think are important considerations for bikepacking.

FOOD And Aid Stations

Breakfast in Finland (at the start) and Grand Marais will be provided by our team and caterers.

We will have one aid station (location shared at morning meeting) at the halfway spot of the day. We will provide water, gatorade, Coke basic snacks like bananas, Fox Wraps (tortilla, humus and pickle) PB&J, gummie bears and chips. We will have radio communication with our team and emergency services at these locations.

Suppers are NOT provided. There are great options in Grand Marais within walking distance from our camp.

Click for: GPX Maps

Note that some GPS devices prefer .fit files instead of .gpx files. Please make sure files are loaded and working on your GPS before arriving to the event. We will provide written direction cue sheets at packet pickup.