Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic
- Date Sat 26th September 2026
- Time 8:00AM CDT
- Location Two Harbors, Minnesota
- Price $38.35 - $80.75
- Races 3 races
- Distances Ultra
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable day of cycling at the 18th annual Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic, taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in the scenic Two Harbors, Lake. This exciting event caters to riders of all ages and abilities, featuring courses that highlight the most beautiful and challenging sections of classic Heck routes. Participants can choose from three race distances: a 20-mile ride for those aged 10 and up, a 50-mile challenge for riders aged 14 and older, and a thrilling 100-mile adventure for cyclists aged 16 and above.
This year, the festivities will kick off with the inaugural HECK FEST, located next to Castle Danger Brewery, where attendees can enjoy a live performance by the talented Charlie Parr at 4 PM, delicious food from local food trucks, and refreshing drinks straight from the brewery. Riders aged 17 and younger can participate for free with an accompanying adult, making this a fantastic opportunity to introduce someone new to the joys of gravel cycling. Join us for a day filled with camaraderie, stunning scenery, and the thrill of the ride. Whether you’re racing or cheering on friends, it's going to be a good Heck!
This year, the festivities will kick off with the inaugural HECK FEST, located next to Castle Danger Brewery, where attendees can enjoy a live performance by the talented Charlie Parr at 4 PM, delicious food from local food trucks, and refreshing drinks straight from the brewery. Riders aged 17 and younger can participate for free with an accompanying adult, making this a fantastic opportunity to introduce someone new to the joys of gravel cycling. Join us for a day filled with camaraderie, stunning scenery, and the thrill of the ride. Whether you’re racing or cheering on friends, it's going to be a good Heck!
Organiser's Description
WELCOME TO THE HECK OF THE NORTH GRAVEL CYCLING CLASSIC!
Welcome to this special 18th year of The Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic. This year, we are starting and finishing in Two Harbor's historic downtown. Our inaugural HECK FEST, located next door to our friends at CASTLE DANGER BREWERY [https://castledangerbrewery.com/], will present a special live performance by CHARLIE PARR [https://www.charlieparr.com/] at 4 PM at our Heck Fest tent. We are thrilled and honored to have him back for our post race celebration. We'll have food trucks and Castle Danger Brewerys finest drinks on tap. Bring a friend to celebrate with us. We are excited to start a new Heck of the North tradition.
This year's courses are retooled and showcase the best sections of classic Heck routes. Come prepared for some of the most beautiful and challenging Heck routes ever.
I hope you an join us this year. And please welcome someone new to gravel cycling. Its going to be a good Heck.
Please consider volunteering! We rely on our amazing corp of volunteers and offer opportunities from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. Thank you!
* Riders 17 and younger RIDE FREE with an accompanying adult.
* Riders must be at least 10 years old for the 20 mile event, at least 14 years old for the 50 mile event and 16 years old for the 100 mile event. All participants must be able to ride their bicycle independently. We will not allow child seats or tag-alongs. This is a change from previous years. Thank you for your understanding.
* We will not allow E-bikes this year in any Heck events.
Welcome to this special 18th year of The Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic. This year, we are starting and finishing in Two Harbor's historic downtown. Our inaugural HECK FEST, located next door to our friends at CASTLE DANGER BREWERY [https://castledangerbrewery.com/], will present a special live performance by CHARLIE PARR [https://www.charlieparr.com/] at 4 PM at our Heck Fest tent. We are thrilled and honored to have him back for our post race celebration. We'll have food trucks and Castle Danger Brewerys finest drinks on tap. Bring a friend to celebrate with us. We are excited to start a new Heck of the North tradition.
This year's courses are retooled and showcase the best sections of classic Heck routes. Come prepared for some of the most beautiful and challenging Heck routes ever.
I hope you an join us this year. And please welcome someone new to gravel cycling. Its going to be a good Heck.
Please consider volunteering! We rely on our amazing corp of volunteers and offer opportunities from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. Thank you!
* Riders 17 and younger RIDE FREE with an accompanying adult.
* Riders must be at least 10 years old for the 20 mile event, at least 14 years old for the 50 mile event and 16 years old for the 100 mile event. All participants must be able to ride their bicycle independently. We will not allow child seats or tag-alongs. This is a change from previous years. Thank you for your understanding.
* We will not allow E-bikes this year in any Heck events.
Races
-
Heck of the North 100 Mile
Incl. $5.75 Fee
Sat 26th September 2026 (8:00AM CDT)
$80.75
Welcome to the 2026 Heck of the North Gravel Classic! Thank you for bringing your Graveleer spirit to the event. We welcome all and encourage you to be respectful visitors to this amazing community of Two Harbors. And please say hello to someone new during the weekend. Who knows, maybe it's their first rodeo. Course Highlights: 3400 ft of elevation change. Course is mostly well maintained gravel road (80% unpaved.) Key sectors include: Knife River stream crossing at mile 10 Briton Pit Sector (5 miles of two track) at mile 13 Bear Pit Sector (8 miles of two track) at mile 30 Aid Station mile 40 King Lake Sector (5 miles of two track) at mile 62 Aid Station mile 66 North Shore State Trail (1.5 miles of snowmobile trail) at mile 89 You may change your event distance until September 15, 2026. You are responsible to know: All roads are open to cars. You must follow all traffic laws. No exceptions! No refunds, no transfers to next year. Absolutely no littering no exceptions no matter how fast/slow you are. You may transfer to another person to take your place at the 2026 Heck of the North only This event is challenging. You may have to walk some rough sections. There may be route changes due to extreme weather events or unforeseen road closures You are sharing the road with other cars, UTV's, pedestrians and equestrians. You ARE NOT entitled to the whole road. Please ride far right. We ask that you are courteous to other local users and participants. If we find out that you are not sharing the road or are otherwise being unfriendly, you WILL NOT be welcomed back to future Heck of the North Productions events. Helmets are required. Please contact me with questions. jeremybkershaw@gmail.com Please follow our Cadence Journal site for regular posts on all things gravel cycling at www.heckofthenorth.com Thank you and Ride the Good Line! -
Heck of the North 50 Mile
Incl. $5.75 Fee
Sat 26th September 2026 (8:30AM CDT)
$80.75
Welcome to the 2026 Heck of the North Gravel Classic! Thank you for bringing your Graveleer spirit to the event. We welcome all and encourage you to be respectful visitors to this amazing community of Two Harbors. And please say hello to someone new during the weekend. Who knows, maybe it's their first rodeo. Course Highlights: 2000 ft of elevation change. Course is mostly well maintained gravel road (78% unpaved) Key sectors include: Knife River stream crossing at mile 10 King Lake Sector (5 miles of two track) at mile 20 Aid Station mile 24 North Shore State Trail (1.5 miles of snowmobile trail) at mile 42 You may change your event distance until September 15, 2026. You are responsible to know: All roads are open to cars. You must follow all traffic laws. No exceptions! No refunds, no transfers to next year. Absolutely no littering no exceptions no matter how fast/slow you are. You may transfer to another person to take your place at the 2026 Heck of the North only This event is challenging. You may have to walk some rough sections. There may be route changes due to extreme weather events or unforeseen road closures You are sharing the road with other cars, UTV's, pedestrians and equestrians. You ARE NOT entitled to the whole road. Please ride far right. We ask that you are courteous to other local users and participants. If we find out that you are not sharing the road or are otherwise being unfriendly, you WILL NOT be welcomed back to future Heck of the North Productions events. Helmets are required. Please contact me with questions. jeremybkershaw@gmail.com Please follow our Cadence Journal site for regular posts on all things gravel cycling at www.heckofthenorth.com Thank you and Ride the Good Line! -
Heck of the North 20 Mile
Incl. $3.35 Fee
Sat 26th September 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$38.35
Welcome to the 2026 Heck of the North Gravel Classic! Thank you for bringing your Graveleer spirit to the event. We welcome all and encourage you to be respectful visitors to this amazing community of Two Harbors. And please say hello to someone new during the weekend. Who knows, maybe it's their first rodeo. Course Highlights: 800 ft of elevation change. Course has maintained gravel road (58% unpaved) and paved sections. Key sectors include: Knife River stream crossing at mile 10 Aid Station at mile 11 You may change your event distance until September 15, 2026. You are responsible to know: All roads are open to cars. You must follow all traffic laws. No exceptions! No refunds, no transfers to next year. Absolutely no littering no exceptions no matter how fast/slow you are. You may transfer to another person to take your place at the 2026 Heck of the North only This event is challenging. You may have to walk some rough sections. There may be route changes due to extreme weather events or unforeseen road closures You are sharing the road with other cars, UTV's, pedestrians and equestrians. You ARE NOT entitled to the whole road. Please ride far right. We ask that you are courteous to other local users and participants. If we find out that you are not sharing the road or are otherwise being unfriendly, you WILL NOT be welcomed back to future Heck of the North Productions events. Helmets are required. Please contact me with questions. jeremybkershaw@gmail.com Please follow our Cadence Journal site for regular posts on all things gravel cycling at www.heckofthenorth.com Thank you and Ride the Good Line!
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17 7th St, Two Harbors, 55616, MN, United States
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Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic
