The Heywood is a gravel road ride taking place in the rolling countryside south of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro plex. We call it Deep South Metro. You may know it as Northfield. Northfield is a college town of approximately 20,000 people. We have a thriving downtown with cafés, bakeries, and lots of stores with actual personality.
Rather hang out in the woods? We’ve got that covered too. Nerstrand State Park and Caron Park are a ten-minute drive from our start line. Both are on route even! In other words, bring your family! There’s lots to do.
But you’re here for a bike ride, right? Our roads are low trafficked, mostly one lane wide and vary from long rollers to short, punchy climbs. You’ll pass active farms, always be on the lookout for machinery. You’ll also see your fair share of wooded lanes. From easy cruisers to tough climbs and fast descents. There is a little bit of pavement, but only enough to make important connections. Our surfaces are generally smooth and the gravel is downright pleasant. Nearly any tire will work, though we suggest staying above 32c.
Explore the RoutesAll locations are in Northfield, MN.
Please check-in at least 30 minutes before your ride time.
The Heywood is a welcoming and inclusive event.
Entry fees are a big barrier for a lot of folks. We do our best to minimize that barrier, while recognizing that there are costs to put this on. The largest expenses for this event are insurance and biffies. If you want to help keep this event sustainable and grassroots, we are accepting donations.
If you’d prefer not to donate directly to The Heywood, you’ll also have the option to buy an entry for another person anonymously during registration.