Bikers head up the hill of the Grand Marais Campground on the second day of "The Wolf" bikepacking race. All photos by Tryg Solberg. 

By Tryg Solberg - Boreal Community Media - July 25, 2024

“The Wolf” bikepacking race took place this past weekend and stopped at the Grand Marais Rec Park & Municipal Campground after riders paralleled the North Shore from Two Harbors. The race is one of four events that Heck of the North Productions puts on, which includes two popular gravel races and two growing bikepacking races. 

The atmosphere at the Rec Park was filled with excitement and connection as riders bonded over a hard day of cycling. The next morning, they woke early for breakfast before setting out for day two. With over 100 miles of riding on both Saturday and Sunday, racers moved impressively fast with gear loaded on their bikes. Danny Whipple, the men’s winner, averaged around 18 miles per hour for over six hours each day. He had a total time of 12 hours and 41 minutes across the two days. Mallory Christ won the women’s event with a combined time of 16 hours and 45 minutes. 

The course was set to take riders from Two Harbors to Ely to Grand Marais, but this year’s route changed due to heavy storm damage in June. Jeremy Kershaw, the founder and owner of Heck of the North Productions, coordinated with state, federal, and local agencies on road conditions to decide on a modified two-day route from Two Harbors and back. Next year’s race should be able to return to the planned three-day route.

The next Heck of the North race is the Gravel Classic in late September. 

 Bikepackers filled a group camping site in the Grand Marais Municipal Campground. Racers arrived on Saturday afternoon from Two Harbors.

 Bikepackers have to carry their camping gear for the trip. Bikepacking is different from classic "bike touring" with most gear being mounted in custom bags instead of panniers on a rack.

 Breakfast was made by the Heck of the North Production crew before the start of the second day.

 Bikers wait to head out for the second day of racing. 

 Jeremy Kershaw wrangled racers to the start line, giving final instructions before starting day two.

 The race field heads out of the campground across Highway 61 towards County 7 and Pike Lake.