BicycleFriends.com: Fargo Street

Showing posts with label Fargo Street. Show all posts

Monday, February 16, 2015

Fargo Street Hill Climb - Note to Self

Its coming soon!!!

Fargo Street Hill Climb – Mid-March
Fargo Street is one block long, but one tough climb: It is among the steepest streets in Los Angeles with a 32% grade. This stimulating event is a Wheelmen tradition. Each year we ride from The Corner to watch cyclists charge to the top of Fargo Street – or get there in some unique style. One rule: You can’t put a foot on the pavement. Many fail, but many succeed, often multiple times. The reward: Bragging rights and a handsome commemorative Fargo Street patch. Everyone is welcome to start the climb and heartily and noisily encouraged to reach the top. Hill Climb Location: intersection of Fargo and Allesandro Streets, near the south end of the Glendale Freeway. Start: The Corner, Le Doux Road at Olympic Blvd, 1 block west of La Cienega Blvd. Guests: bring a signed waiver . Free.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Fargo Street Annual Hill Climb Challenge

This was my third year doing the Fargo Street Hill Climb Challenge and I managed to get up the hill 37 times. 37 times was difficult but I think I had enough in me to do at least 40.

The official start time is 9 am and it goes to noon. If racers, hit 50 by noon, then the promoters will stick around and stay as long as the leader keeps going. The all time record is 101 times up Fargo Street in nine hours.

Kevin and I have a tradition of eating at Nick's Place in LA. Nick's Place is a little diner across from LA's Historical Park in DT.

Kevin wasn't able to make it up the street this time. It's one steep hill and pictures don't do it any justice.

Unigeezer was out today. This time he made it up three times. Not to shabby.

Elliptigo guy was there too. While most zig zag up Fargo Street, Ellipigo guy goes straight up.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Fargo Street Hill Climb 2012

This year Kevin and I attended LA Wheelmen's Annual Fargo Street Hill Climb competition. There were fewer attendees than last year and I think a big reason was the impending rain. Die hard cyclist, intent on breaking records, were out early this year to beat the rain.

Fargo Street is the second steepest hill in the USA at a staggering 33% grade. LA Wheelmen hold their annual hill climb that gets more and more popular every year. Racers get an LA Wheelman PATCH if you make it up at least once without touching down with your foot. A few years ago Huell Houser came to watch and this year Channel 7 and some cable news van were out to report on the event.

I think the Fargo Street Hill Climb is going to be part of Kevin's and my annual tradition. The Fargo Street Hill Climb tradition dictates breakfast at Nick's Cafe, two eggs, hashbrowns, toast, country sausage and grits for me! Nick's Cafe is right across the LA Historical Park were I raced CX late last year.

After Nick's we headed to Fargo Street. We were officially a half hour early but the competition was already under way. We registered and Kevin had the honors of starting up the hill first. Last year he crashed out, this year he was better prepared for the short but intense climb up Fargo.

Days and minutes leading up to the hill climb we talked about strategy. How best to approach the climb, when to pedal, how to pedal, when to zig-zag and snake across the road. It's possible to muscle up Fargo but I've seen less than a handful strong enough to do so. And even at that, those that do only attempt it once or twice before calling it a day.

So Kevin starts his climb, I'm there with the camera and support. The coordinator asks him its his first time to which Kevin says, "I tried last year but crashed out." The coordinator then sends Kevin off and says you are in your middle chainring. FAIL. Quickly Kevin shifts down and he's off. There's no point being in any other gear than your GRANNY GEAR.

I run up along side Kevin shouting words of encouragement and bits of advice. He's looking good and he's made it half way up. Half way up, he cuts in, snaking up Fargo a few more feet and fatigue is setting in. DAMN Fargo Street is a beast! Kevin's getting tired and Fargo Street isn't getting any less steep, he touches down.

Riders continue to make their way up Fargo, then there is an opening in the pack, and Kevin starts up again. Pedal, pedal, push, push, Kevin continues on and at about two-thirds of the way, Fargo wins. Kevin touches down again. He takes a small break and the goal is to just get to the top. He starts up again and pushes hard up the final 30 to 50 feet. Channel 7 is at the top and a big news camera is there to greet Kevin along with a handful of other cyclists and spectators.

Last year I made it up Fargo Street fifteen times. This year my goal was 36, to signify my lovely 36 years of life. Long story short, I made it up 18 times before LA Wheelmen stopped the event. It started raining so the coordinator decided they had enough and it probably isn't a good idea riding up a steep a$$ hill in the rain. The first 5 times up were hard. After that, I settled into a groove and just kept going. When I made it up the eighteenth time the score keeper said the event is over due to the rain and I zipped back down with hopes of trying to get at least 2 more before it was "officially" over. I started to make my way up the nineteenth time and the coordinator cut me short.

All in all the event was a success and I look forward to next year.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Fargo Street Hill Climb

Event: Fargo Street Hill Climb
Host: LA Wheelman
Date: March 25, 2012
Time: 9:00 am
Link: http://www.lawheelmen.org/fargofaq.htm

This Sunday LA Wheelman is hosting their Fargo Street Hill Climb. I attended last year and made it up Fargo 15 times. Fargo Street is the second steepest hill in the USA at a 33% grade. My loose goal this year is 36 times.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Dirty Dozen Race @ Canton Ave

Fargo Street is still longer ...

Canton Ave in Pittsburg is the steepest hill in the USA with its 37% Grade.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

UniGeezer Rides Up Fargo Street

Earlier this week I rec'd an email from UniGeezer. UniGeezer was present at this years Fargo Street Hill Climb, March 6, 2011. Riding his 24" Unicycle, UniGeezer was the first only only person, to date, to ride up Fargo Street on a Unicycle. That day, UniGeezer made it up Fargo Street two times.

At a 33% Grade, Fargo Street is the second steepest hill in the USA, and I believe the third steepest in the word.

Riding Fargo Street on a two wheeled bicycle is hard enough, UniGeezer conquered it three times, on a unicycle and at over 50 years of age! (UniGeezer rode up Fargo Street 2x on 3/06/11 and 1x on 2/23/11)

Here is a YouTube video of his first ride up. Near the top, you can even see me passing UniGeezer. Next year, maybe I'll be crazy enough to attempt the climb on my tall bike!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Fargo Street Hill Climb March 6, 2011 (Part Six)

Fargo Street Hill Climb March 6, 2011 (Part Five)

Fargo Street Hill Climb March 6, 2011 (Part Four)

This guy had the right idea, a head cam! I wanted to take a picture, while riding up, at least 15 feet from the apex. The only problem was I was spending so much energy holding on, balancing and trying to keep a forward motion, I had little left to pull the camera out, let along snap the picture!

Is pink the new black or black the new pink? I'm so confused.

Skinny tires and mountain bike gearing. I think this was the winning formula!

Below - This guy was going strong all day long! I wonder how many climbs he made?

Below - I can't remember this guys name but we went up Fargo Street together a few times. UPDATE - This is MARSHALL! Great Job, next year lets do > 20!