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 309 views
One of the Last Riders on the Hill 299 views
Age 64 - Made It! 298 views
Well Dressed Cyclist 301 views
Strong Rider 300 views
Darryl Levesque Forgot Something Up the Hill 297 views
Another Skater - Steven Goldmaker 298 views
Another Attempt by Ivan on a Flat Tire 300 views
Ivan Rides Alone on his Tandem (He Made It) 298 views
Kent Pulls Through the 33% Grade 299 views
Leon Halfon - Longtime Fargo Street Resident 299 views
Eric in Civic Minded Mode 298 views
Eric Cleans the Hills 298 views
Sporting the Colonel Allensworth Jersey 299 views
Fargo in Reflection 301 views
Ted - Cyclist Turned Cameraman for a Morning 72 views
Watching Riders Progress 74 views
ABC Cameraman 72 views
Rosalie Again 74 views
Rosalie and Riders (She Made 12 Ascents!) 74 views
A Man Alone 73 views
Wbere it Starts to Hurt 73 views
Yes, its That Steep 73 views
It Really Is a 33% Grade 74 views
Keep Spinning 2 73 views
Keep Spinning 1 73 views
Doug Again 73 views
ABC Cameraman 73 views
Kent - 51x Up Fargo Street! 73 views
Ready to Go 72 views
Rosalie 86 views
Rosalie Kneebone, after riding up Fargo, controlled the Flow of Riders... 80 views
Doug on One of his Ascents 82 views
One of Three Women to Attempt the Hill 80 views
A Lower Gear 79 views
Low Gear 82 views
More Action is Happening Up the Hill 79 views
Eric 80 views
Francis 86 views
One of his 30 Attempts 80 views
Tacking Up the Hill 78 views
One of Two Skaters (Both Made It) 79 views
Looking Strong 82 views
Dan Wyman - Record Holder - Has Ridden the Hill Most Years Since 1977,... 86 views
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