Heck Of The North

Heck of the North

Hello Everyone Original Post I did on this is written here.
http://www.excitingworldtravels.com/heck-north/

For those not familiar the Heck is a relatively flat ‘gravel’ race on what are often bumpy/dusty gravel roads NW of Duluth. The route is punctuated with a long finishing climb and a scattering of trail sections. Most years the trail sections are very wet to the point of requiring dismounts. The flat nature of the course often keeps a large lead group together late into the race which has made for some exciting finishes.

I’ve been going good and was willing to try to take a flyer early in the race. Such a strategy had been bubbling up since late summer and was further reinforced by my experience at the Gravel Conspiracy. The pace always starts pretty high but I was looking for a way to get up the road from the start. Figured I had to get it done early as possible or else it wouldn’t seem ‘stupid’ on my part and wouldn’t be allowed to happen.

So started my first ever Gravel Grinder. on Oct 2014. With just mt bike racing and road racing background, figure this be different. At this time I had done a few 100 mile bike races like Lutsen 99 and Mohican 100. This concept of a gravel grinder seemed different, being unsupported and unmarked where you have to follow cue cards to figure out the course.IMG_2119

So start off at the water front in Two Harbors. Weather is brutal, today, cold, lots of wind and wet. Going to be tough.
Now traditional for gravel grinders you ride a cross or cyclocross bike. Which i dont have. I am going to be one of the few on a Mt bike. On entry seems about 85% of the field are on cross bikes. With a few of us on mt and a few fat bikes as well, wow.

Well at least I am not only one. So get to start area and its quite low key atmosphere from other events i done. More less we just start and go.
Just around within the first 50 feet i see a few stacks of cue cards already on the ground, quite funny. First part of event is just a rolling start up along the highway to northward on to some county rd’s and dirt where the racing actually starts.

Run into a few more people riding mt bikes and one guy on another rocky mountain, so quite good. By this time, the pack is now splitting apart. front to back.

So getting onwards, lots of dirt roads, and weather was steady strong winds all day. Rainy and snow at many times. So into about mile 4 we come across this stream crossing. Almost impossible to ride through it, and only way was to walk it. However being cold out and October, this is a recipe for disaster. So i took leap of faith and ran through it. Now feet all nice and wet ready for a very cold ride rest of the day.
So a few things on doing this event which i entered just to try out a gravel grinder. One cross bike is rule of the day. Being on a mt bike is a HUGE handicap when on these dirt roads. If you ride a mt bike in a gravel grinder get some skinner tires for it. As it does feel sluggish more. However during this event on the trail systems we biked. I was at an advantage to all on cross bikes. Was able to handle and ride faster on the trails over the cross bike people. so hit and miss.

During this event from doing other long distance events, i got my on bike nutrition and hydration system all good.
Camelbak full of water with some fizz in them, and 2 water bottles, one full of Perpetium and other water bottle with electrolyte replacement.

On first part of event, about 3 times did go off course, thats the part of this type of racing, reason was i just following other riders and not watching the cues. So one point rode off at a cross turn with a few other people , and trail kept going. to a point which the bike tracks ended. so we turned around realized the mistake. Then back on another trail in lots of water and mud.

Overall a good ride for most of first part. Second time and 3rd time going off course. was when riding on a road, get into a steady pace and the turn off was some trail entrance off side of road, easy to miss almost, good thing we ran into people at end going on other direction who realized they missed the turn. So a few back tracking in this adventure. so far a good experience.

So going back up the road about more people turning off onto this trail. For some reason seem a good move though, as now i was with a big group of people , everyone seemed happy and smiling and happy so it was good time. On this trail part , now i was riding past people again since being on a mt bike. Come across a few guys on fat bikes too, very interesting. So after trail part come across to more dirt road and then steady paved road.

Going up a hill i can see the waterfront of Duluth in the view. Seems close to turn around point now at the Lester Park. So this is now at mile i think 67 or so. My feet are stone cold and wet all over. Hands are cold as well, it has been a big adventure so far. So go to a nice downhill and i almost ride past park but i see a few volunteers waving me in. This is a check point so one must check in here. It is good to stop at this moment. I quickly take off my wet socks and put on new ones i had in my drop bag. Wow what a difference. Also change gloves as well. There is a nice fire pit here as well so i am warming up my hands now as well. Have 2 bananas and few cookies and refill my bottles with water, i could sit here rest of the day. But still have over 40 miles to finish.
Seems a few people at this point were calling it a day, too bad but it happens. Have to say “ been there down that’ AT this point since i was in a 4 week training burn out. I am ready to go but not 100% fitness i was early this summer.

So anyways make my way back on the course and head back. AT this time seems i am going to be riding solo rest of the day. I am now in auto pilot so just going to cruise it and enjoy the ride. I wont be able to pass people in my state but i will be able to finish. So continue riding and now i have to actually read my cue cards exactly. I am finding it actually fun to follow the directions instead of following someone else, more fun and i can do it better it seems. So going back up a few hills i am barely making it, but riding it, all well.
AT this point course is part on a two way back and i am seeing riders just heading to lester park. And they are fair way back. So it does give me confidence that i am not going to be last and not only that, not even in the last of the pack.

So continue on on more roads and tails. Having more gels and patting some dogs along the way on some dirt roads. Fan club i assume.

So later one reach one more trail. Catch up to one guy on a cross bike. We ride this muddy section and come across one part of trail and little confused, but looks like we are on right way. Back out onto a road and realize its almost done. So finally ride down this nice road, sun has finally come out. The end is also near, been a long long day, but great adventure. So being a nice grassroots events, i see a team of amazing volunteers at the timing check point. we call our number to them and that is it, we have finished, rest of way is a neutral ride to the waterfront to cross the official finish line.
Looks like a great event will do it again.
Overall came in 90th spot, so not bad seems half field did DNF perhaps or not sure how many started, but i was under 9 hours on this one. considering i had a 3 week training burnout.

Putting bike away is nice, but cold. As cool down time now. Other people are finishing but seems the area is happy. People did have a good day. Looks like i will be back for next year. I think only one from Ontario, and Canada here or i think one guy from Alberta was in it, but not sure.

So this was my first time on a gravel grinder event, have to say a good experience and will do it again for sure.
Thanks for listening. Check out my blogs and website at
www.excitingworldtravels.com