What the HECK.

The Heck of the North — Taking a Little Breather

Fall 2026 Update

What the heck… sometimes you’ve gotta listen to your legs.

After a great deal of thought and more than a few kilometres, we’ve decided that there will not be a fall edition of the Heck of the North in 2026.

Call it a pause, a breather or a short hiatus but not necessarily a farewell.

Organizing events like the Heck and Hell of the North requires an enormous amount of time, energy, planning and love. We know what it takes to keep grassroots cycling events alive and moving forward. We also know that sometimes the smartest decision is to ease off the pedals, catch your breath and give yourself room to rediscover the energy that made the ride special in the first place.

For now, we’re pressing pause on the Heck… just for the heck of it.

What Is the Heck of the North?

The Heck of the North was created as the slightly more approachable but still adventurous companion to the legendary Hell of the North.

It brings together dirt roads, rail trails, challenging terrain and some unexpected off-road surprises. It is a day built around adventure, friendship and the kind of shared experience that stays with you long after the bikes have been cleaned.

The Heck may not deliver the complete punishment of the Hell, but it has always had its own personality, challenges and loyal community of riders.

It is demanding enough to feel like a real accomplishment and welcoming enough for riders ready to take their first step into this kind of cycling adventure.

Will the Heck Be Back?

That remains to be seen but we certainly hope so.

We hope 2027 brings renewed energy, new possibilities and another chapter for the Heck of the North. We aren’t ready to announce a date or make promises just yet, but we haven’t forgotten what this event means to the people who have ridden, volunteered and supported it.

If you love the Heck, miss the Heck or want the Heck back, please tell us. Your messages, stories and feedback genuinely matter, and they help shape what comes next.

When the Heck returns, we want it to have the same fun, energy and quality riders have come to expect.

Thank You

Thank you to every rider, volunteer, sponsor, partner and friend who has helped make the Heck of the North such a memorable event.

For now, take the long way home. Ride some dirt. Find a road you’ve never explored. Bring a few friends and create an adventure of your own.

Sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to ease up, so there is enough energy left for whatever comes next.