Each year, cyclists attempt to conquer the steepest hill in Los Angeles. Rising up in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles, Fargo Street, at 33%, is steeper than any hill in San Francisco. (Los Angeles is a far from flat place to live). It's steep enough that walking up more than a few house's worth of distance is a tiring endeavor.
This year, 106 cyclists made a run at Fargo Street, and 67 riders were victorious at least once, a good percentage. The total elevation gain is merely 182 feet, the distance a mere tenth of a mile. Yet most normal humans are unable to ride even halfway up the hill; they give up or fall over.
In recent years, several riders have tried to set a record within a nine-hour time frame for the most ascents, and a few hardy souls tried again this year. However, one was able to break Steve Gilmore's remarkable 101 ascents (made in the nine-hour time period), made in 2008. Only one woman made the top of the hill this year.
The hill climb, loosely sponsored by the Los Angeles Wheelmen, is a unique Los Angeles event stretching back to at least the early 1970s. My brother Dan, pictured below, has ascended the hill at least once almost every year since 1977. Dan and many other cyclists will no doubt be back next March for another run up the hill.
Kents Incredible 51st Ascent of Fargo Street Closes Off the Day
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One of the Last Riders on the Hill
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Age 64 - Made It!
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Well Dressed Cyclist
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Strong Rider
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Darryl Levesque Forgot Something Up the Hill
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Another Skater - Steven Goldmaker
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Another Attempt by Ivan on a Flat Tire
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Ivan Rides Alone on his Tandem (He Made It)
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Kent Pulls Through the 33% Grade
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Leon Halfon - Longtime Fargo Street Resident
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Eric in Civic Minded Mode
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Eric Cleans the Hills
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Sporting the Colonel Allensworth Jersey
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Fargo in Reflection
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Ted - Cyclist Turned Cameraman for a Morning
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Watching Riders Progress
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ABC Cameraman
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Rosalie Again
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Rosalie and Riders (She Made 12 Ascents!)
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A Man Alone
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Wbere it Starts to Hurt
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Yes, its That Steep
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It Really Is a 33% Grade
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Keep Spinning 2
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Keep Spinning 1
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Doug Again
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ABC Cameraman
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Kent - 51x Up Fargo Street!
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Ready to Go
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Rosalie
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Rosalie Kneebone, after riding up Fargo, controlled the Flow of Riders up the Hill
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Doug on One of his Ascents
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One of Three Women to Attempt the Hill
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A Lower Gear
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Low Gear
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More Action is Happening Up the Hill
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Eric
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Francis
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One of his 30 Attempts
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Tacking Up the Hill
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One of Two Skaters (Both Made It)
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Looking Strong
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Dan Wyman - Record Holder - Has Ridden the Hill Most Years Since 1977, Longer Than...
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