All summer, my anticipation for Heck of the North grew. Friends and past recaps left me fired up for this remote day of gravel in Northern Minnesota. Up until race day, there was little to go by. Cue cards aren't released until the morning, so good luck with finding a GPS file. Past route knowledge wouldn't do the trick either. This route was promised to be at least 50% new. Well, if you enjoy elements of surprise, navigation, and what boils down to good old fashioned adventure, this one is for you. Frankly, I hope this small portion of cycling can always retain it's homegrown feel.
The night before didn't disappoint. A few good microbrews, a pizza, and a lakeside tent spot left nothing to complain about. The ability to bike by headlamp to our camp spot and get away from the typical motor home strewn campgrounds was just icing on the cake.
Morning of gave off that lovely grassroots feel that many races now miss. Pulling into a grassy lot 10 miles north of Two Harbors, it was scattered with families, cars, camp fires, and small campers. Basically, it was a collection of eclectic folk just looking for adventure, milling about without a nerve in tow. After taking part in more high strung endeavors such as road running, road cycling, or triathlon, this stuff just makes you laugh and wonder what you missed all those years. Personally, these types of gathering are my favorite. Like Heck proves, you don't need fancy tents, a crazy amount of course marking or a ton of amenities to draw folks out.
After one of the more heart-felt recognition's of sponsors, support and family, Jeremy (the race director) had us quickly rolling down beautiful gravel at a casual pace to ease into the day. This course proved to be as unique as the description. It had two track, flawless fast gravel, a very small amount of asphalt, and some of the most pummeling trail or unmaintained road that I've ever ridden on a rigid bike. The pummeling though, was just enough to remind you that this race is damn tough and you ought to prepare before showing up. The rest rolled like gravy and left you so stoked to ride that you could have gone on for hundreds of miles, seriously!
Somehow, I found my legs on Saturday after a few off races. Though I started the season just using cycling to blackout yet another running injury, my expectations had grown throughout the year. With experience in events came confidence followed by ... goals. I was excited to feel so good but questioned whether the pace was brilliant. By mile 25, I found myself in the very small chase pack of 4, the leaders in eye range, as we barreled down a limited section of pavement. We pulled, trading positions every quarter mile at 24 - 26mph, with hope of closing on the leaders. Once pavement turned back to gravel, this continued. They were so close and a pack of 15 was so tempting. It's likely we all knew the danger of chasing, but no one mentioned it or caved by that point. We kept working together in the hope that we would tie on. Around 40 miles in, we started picking up people that fell off the back. I continued to feel strong, but still questioned it a bit. What's better than digging in.
The half came in roughly 2:43. It was definitely a lot quicker than I anticipated. I had mentally ear marked this race as insanely challenging. The fun was undoubtedly yet to come. That it was, the harmless turns on something marked NSST seemed so benign. Though, that really stood for North Shore Snowmobile Trail and it had enough chop to knock out your molars... or better yet challenge you chamois and saddle choice of the day. It was so choppy, I found myself throwing a chain and snapping both parts of my saddle bag into my wheel rather quickly. So we have arrived I thought. That punchy fast pace was soon a crawl and I was happy to be riding the Salsa Cutthroat, simply glad when each of the three NSST sections came to a close. Each time, all I could think was thank god.
Morning of gave off that lovely grassroots feel that many races now miss. Pulling into a grassy lot 10 miles north of Two Harbors, it was scattered with families, cars, camp fires, and small campers. Basically, it was a collection of eclectic folk just looking for adventure, milling about without a nerve in tow. After taking part in more high strung endeavors such as road running, road cycling, or triathlon, this stuff just makes you laugh and wonder what you missed all those years. Personally, these types of gathering are my favorite. Like Heck proves, you don't need fancy tents, a crazy amount of course marking or a ton of amenities to draw folks out.
After one of the more heart-felt recognition's of sponsors, support and family, Jeremy (the race director) had us quickly rolling down beautiful gravel at a casual pace to ease into the day. This course proved to be as unique as the description. It had two track, flawless fast gravel, a very small amount of asphalt, and some of the most pummeling trail or unmaintained road that I've ever ridden on a rigid bike. The pummeling though, was just enough to remind you that this race is damn tough and you ought to prepare before showing up. The rest rolled like gravy and left you so stoked to ride that you could have gone on for hundreds of miles, seriously!
Somehow, I found my legs on Saturday after a few off races. Though I started the season just using cycling to blackout yet another running injury, my expectations had grown throughout the year. With experience in events came confidence followed by ... goals. I was excited to feel so good but questioned whether the pace was brilliant. By mile 25, I found myself in the very small chase pack of 4, the leaders in eye range, as we barreled down a limited section of pavement. We pulled, trading positions every quarter mile at 24 - 26mph, with hope of closing on the leaders. Once pavement turned back to gravel, this continued. They were so close and a pack of 15 was so tempting. It's likely we all knew the danger of chasing, but no one mentioned it or caved by that point. We kept working together in the hope that we would tie on. Around 40 miles in, we started picking up people that fell off the back. I continued to feel strong, but still questioned it a bit. What's better than digging in.
The half came in roughly 2:43. It was definitely a lot quicker than I anticipated. I had mentally ear marked this race as insanely challenging. The fun was undoubtedly yet to come. That it was, the harmless turns on something marked NSST seemed so benign. Though, that really stood for North Shore Snowmobile Trail and it had enough chop to knock out your molars... or better yet challenge you chamois and saddle choice of the day. It was so choppy, I found myself throwing a chain and snapping both parts of my saddle bag into my wheel rather quickly. So we have arrived I thought. That punchy fast pace was soon a crawl and I was happy to be riding the Salsa Cutthroat, simply glad when each of the three NSST sections came to a close. Each time, all I could think was thank god.
The thing that's funny about a course like Heck is that the scenery will erase any sense of pain. I literally could not believe how quickly mile 75 came down the barrel. To ice that thought, Endurance Kennels (photo above) was out cheering with cold cans of Coke and beer. I'd like to think I looked to fast to receive a beer. Yet again, maybe I looked like I was in dire need and couldn't tolerate 5% ABV. It was probably the latter, but damn was that Coke a life saver. Up until that point, things were kind of planing off. I'd lost my crew due to gear malfunction and was trying to get them back.
Not more than two minutes after that Coke, there I was, rejoining the crew and rolling down the NSST. The funny thing about this pack is when another person had a mechanical, they asked me to stop. I paused for one second to think about it and thought, hey, you didn't wait for me to figure shit out. With that said, there were a few more pulls exchanged before I simply was the chase. A small creek crossing and some bomber two track completed the day. I crossed the line in 13th and felt like I had at least another 50 in the legs. I love when races come together, but better yet, I love when races have such an awesome vibe.
We sat for hours, traded long tails, and mostly congratulated or made fun of each other for the days effort. There weren't drones, huge banners, medals or trophies. Just new friendships forged through the most pristine gravel and grittiest of North Shore trails. It's nice to see events like Heck grow in popularity. I'd like to think it is because the unknown and simplicity are sought after. Too often we are weakened by luxuries these days. It's always nice to boil down cycling to just pedal strokes and cue cards.
Check out Heck of the North, you won't be disappointed. Just don't take my spot next year.
What was used:
Thanks again to Jeremy and Heck Productions for putting on such a rad event. Can't wait until next year!
Not more than two minutes after that Coke, there I was, rejoining the crew and rolling down the NSST. The funny thing about this pack is when another person had a mechanical, they asked me to stop. I paused for one second to think about it and thought, hey, you didn't wait for me to figure shit out. With that said, there were a few more pulls exchanged before I simply was the chase. A small creek crossing and some bomber two track completed the day. I crossed the line in 13th and felt like I had at least another 50 in the legs. I love when races come together, but better yet, I love when races have such an awesome vibe.
We sat for hours, traded long tails, and mostly congratulated or made fun of each other for the days effort. There weren't drones, huge banners, medals or trophies. Just new friendships forged through the most pristine gravel and grittiest of North Shore trails. It's nice to see events like Heck grow in popularity. I'd like to think it is because the unknown and simplicity are sought after. Too often we are weakened by luxuries these days. It's always nice to boil down cycling to just pedal strokes and cue cards.
Check out Heck of the North, you won't be disappointed. Just don't take my spot next year.
What was used:
- Salsa Cutthroat with 2.1 Schwalbe Thunder Burt Snakeskins (worked excellent for this type of course)
- Hammer Nutrition - 50oz Perpetuem, 5 gels, half a cookie and a Snickers
- Revelate Gas Tank top tube bag to carry the goods and hold my cue card clip
- Some bomber Tifosi Podium glasses to keep the eyes healthy
- Garmin 520 to track that effort
Thanks again to Jeremy and Heck Productions for putting on such a rad event. Can't wait until next year!