View Full Version : Fargo Street
Anyone have any advice about Fargo Street for someone who intends to climb it sometime next year? It's supposed to be something like a quarter mile of 30% grade, right? If I try on a MTB with, say, a 22/34 low gear, it should be somewhat akin to riding a 15% grade in a 34/27 (low gear on my roadie) for half a mile, right? Sounds painful, but doable.
big john
12-19-06, 09:18 PM
On a mountain bike? Dude, that cheapens it somewhat. Back in the day, a friend of mine did it on a 42x23!
Jason, there is a street in Laguna Beach that is like Fargo, but you can get a running start...
I am not even willing to climb it yet!
Any practical advice about getting up Fargo Street on a roadie is fine, too. It's not as if I actually own a mountain bike. I can climb a 15% grade seated. (Slowly, but I can do it without feeling like I'll kill myself.) I can't possibly climb Fargo Street seated, though an extreme tack might allow me to take a short seated "break".
thomson
12-19-06, 09:24 PM
Jason
The equivalence doesn't hold true because at that steep, the handling of the bike becomes an issue. As an example, the front wheel goes airborne if you lean back too far.
I would recommend as low as gearing you can get to start. Even with that you may have to start tacking. The street is narrow enough where even tacking is a challenge.
However, persevere to climb it straight. Tacking increases the run quite a bit making it far less than 32%
ronjon10
12-19-06, 09:24 PM
I'll do it on this bike :)
http://lawheelmen.org/fargo/kermit38.jpg
<picture lifted from la wheelmen site from their march Fargo climb. Lots of other pics here>
http://lawheelmen.org/fargo.htm
roadfix
12-19-06, 09:32 PM
It's advisable to have a spotter follow you up the hill on foot as you could easily lose your balance as you tack. Ask ovoleg.......when he lost momentum and tried to dismount he lost balance and slid about 25 feet down on his road cleats. That's when I first met ovoleg, btw...
Also from that website, this guy is nuts!
http://lawheelmen.org/fargo/kermit24.jpg
BigSean
12-19-06, 09:41 PM
Any practical advice about getting up Fargo Street on a roadie is fine, too. It's not as if I actually own a mountain bike. I can climb a 15% grade seated. (Slowly, but I can do it without feeling like I'll kill myself.) I can't possibly climb Fargo Street seated, though an extreme tack might allow me to take a short seated "break".
mt bike gearing is far easier on steep climbs, but will never get you any stronger on the road bike. Too different. I climb alot of steep stuff on a mt bike, hasnt helped my road climbing. But climbing on a roadie helps the mt bike climbing.:rolleyes:
roadfix
12-19-06, 09:42 PM
That one photo with the huge rear sprocket just gave me an idea. I'm modifying one fixer bike just for this event....:D
mt bike gearing is far easier on steep climbs, but will never get you any stronger on the road bike.
Yeah, but this would be a one off climb. Nowhere else do I encounter sustained 30% grades. The only other 30% grades I might see are if I take a tight line in the Mt Baldy switchbacks, But there, it lasts for only a few feet, so you just power right through it.
caligurl
12-19-06, 09:43 PM
i'm the opposite.... i can climb steeper stuff on my road bike than i can my MTB
i'm the opposite.... i can climb steeper stuff on my road bike than i can my MTB
Even if your MTB is on asphalt?
caligurl
12-19-06, 09:45 PM
that i don't know.... i'm comparing roadie on the road to MTB on the dirt/sand.... (that's why i get so aggrevated at the goat trails... i KNOW i can climb steeper climbs... just can't do THAT one! lol!)
Tiffanie
12-19-06, 09:46 PM
You guys are nuts. But count me in to root you guys on!!!
http://server12.ipslink.com/~wwwmamad/forums/style_emoticons/default/suus2wa.gifhttp://server12.ipslink.com/~wwwmamad/forums/style_emoticons/default/suus2wa.gifhttp://server12.ipslink.com/~wwwmamad/forums/style_emoticons/default/suus2wa.gif
caligurl
12-19-06, 09:46 PM
(and i also disagree the MTBing doesn't help road riding... i think... just like spinning helps BOTH kinds of cycling... MTBing helps road riding and road riding helps MTBing...)
... MTBing helps road riding and road riding helps MTBing...)
I agree!
Mt biking help handling skills on the Road, Road help endurance on the Mt Bike!
Ride on Garth...
BigSean
12-19-06, 09:54 PM
Yeah, but this would be a one off climb. Nowhere else do I encounter sustained 30% grades. The only other 30% grades I might see are if I take a tight line in the Mt Baldy switchbacks, But there, it lasts for only a few feet, so you just power right through it.
Keeping the front wheel on the ground at that grade would be tough. Road bike would be better. Unless you can find like an 80"s original mt bike rigid and climb standing. Roadie would be my preference. How long is it?
VanceMac
12-19-06, 10:46 PM
It is a blast to watch and photograph. These are from two years ago:
http://vmac.smugmug.com/gallery/445104/1/17909643
I may try to be an actual participant this year.
ronjon10
12-19-06, 11:17 PM
It is a blast to watch and photograph. These are from two years ago:
http://vmac.smugmug.com/gallery/445104/1/17909643
I may try to be an actual participant this year.
Great story about the guy who climbed it 33!!! times, plus more links at the bottom:
http://home.comcast.net/~wymanburke/FargoStreet.html
jschen let me know when you go out to do it...I'd like to see it.
I tried it on another occassion and just simply put, it is too hard without a heavy bike and good gearing. Even with my low gearing, after I lost momentum, its hard to stay upright. It's not really in the leg muscle as it is more of a control/power issue. You have to be going at a decent clip to stay upright.
Harder than it looks...by far.
Anyways let me know I'll come watch
Socalcycling
12-19-06, 11:51 PM
I wish that I can find the post where Ovoleg said he did ride all the way to the top of Fargo. You should really get notes on the lies you tell here. They will catch up with you one day. If anyone has any free time I'm sure you can find it.
chimivee
12-19-06, 11:53 PM
It is a blast to watch and photograph.
Great pics, vancemac.
I wish that I can find the post where Ovoleg said he did ride all the way to the top of Fargo. You should really get notes on the lies you tell here. They will catch up with you one day. If anyone has any free time I'm sure you can find it.
Why would I care to look that up?
I wish that I can find the post where Ovoleg said he did ride all the way to the top of Fargo. You should really get notes on the lies you tell here. They will catch up with you one day. If anyone has any free time I'm sure you can find it.
I never said that, but keep track of my posts more
Go search the forums and link it to me pls, I like it when you monitor me
ronjon10
12-20-06, 12:03 AM
I wish that I can find the post where Ovoleg said he did ride all the way to the top of Fargo. You should really get notes on the lies you tell here. They will catch up with you one day. If anyone has any free time I'm sure you can find it.
Hey now, Ovo is running for office and you're besmirching his good name. Here he claims not to have made it.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=147917
Socalcycling
12-20-06, 12:04 AM
I'm having trouble finding the part where I said "Extort look this up".
I'm having trouble finding the part where I said "Extort look this up".
You have trouble doing alot of things, we don't judge you :P
Socalcycling
12-20-06, 12:23 AM
Guess is was not too hard to find. ooppsss..
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=2764893&postcount=384
Socalcycling
12-20-06, 12:37 AM
Oh how sweet of the Moderators going in and editing Ovo's original post. Hope your proud of yourself.
I'm having trouble finding the part where I said "Extort look this up".
this is why I thought that...
If anyone has any free time I'm sure you can find it.
big john
12-20-06, 06:46 AM
Getting back on topic, for years everyone climbed Fargo on road bikes or touring bikes. The switch to mtb gears and frankenbikes has allowed people to go up who couldn't before, and the old record on a road bike was 10 times, (I think). I saw a tandem roadie go up once.
dangerman
12-20-06, 10:02 AM
Also from that website, this guy is nuts!
http://lawheelmen.org/fargo/kermit24.jpg
that's hilarious. That is my riding/skating partner. He's fast. Finished athens to atlanta 14th last year. Kicks my butt in the hills.
Jason, you met him when we did the Baldy outing. He was with me when we were searching for our "lost" rider
thomson
12-20-06, 10:25 AM
that's hilarious. That is my riding/skating partner. He's fast. Finished athens to atlanta 14th last year. Kicks my butt in the hills.
Jason, you met him when we did the Baldy outing. He was with me when we were searching for our "lost" rider
Does he skate down Fargo?
merider1
12-20-06, 10:32 AM
It's advisable to have a spotter follow you up the hill on foot as you could easily lose your balance as you tack. Ask ovoleg.......when he lost momentum and tried to dismount he lost balance and slid about 25 feet down on his road cleats. That's when I first met ovoleg, btw...
Pic? (because I think you and whole bunch of people are now in on the "Ovoleg" joke, btw)
Oh, and my friend, Francis, has done this hill. I was supposed to go watch last year but I ended up on a ride. I'd love to get some snacks and a group together to go watch any BFer who wants to attempt it! :D
roadfix
12-20-06, 10:45 AM
Pic? (because I think you and whole bunch of people are now in on the "Ovoleg" joke, btw)
Click on this link and see posts #44 & #45....
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=147917
thomson
12-20-06, 10:51 AM
Another Fargo Tale (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=180693)
Although, since only half was done straight and the other half tacked, I no longer consider it a legitimate climb. I will have to head out there again.
caligurl
12-20-06, 10:52 AM
OMG! is IS a conspiracy! but NO... wait... big john is too honest to be in on a joke like this... and HE told me he's MET ovo... and i BELIEVE big john!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, my ultimate hope is a climb straight up Fargo on my roadie, but first, I have to simply make it up, no matter what the tactics employed.
merider1
12-20-06, 11:01 AM
OMG! is IS a conspiracy! but NO... wait... big john is too honest to be in on a joke like this... and HE told me he's MET ovo... and i BELIEVE big john!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, for cry eye :rolleyes: ...I didn't mean Big John was lying! I was JOKING as I wanted a pic of Ovo. Thank you, George! I am assuming Ovo is the guy in the yellow-ish jersey in the back? :D
thomson
12-20-06, 11:02 AM
Yeah, my ultimate hope is a climb straight up Fargo on my roadie, but first, I have to simply make it up, no matter what the tactics employed.
The thing about tacking Fargo, Jason, it is difficult to make the turns because it is so narrow and steep. And once you start the tack, there is no going back (sorry had to have it rhyme, what I really mean, it is difficult to go from tack to back straight) so you are somewhat committed to tack the rest of the way. I used to go straight up 20 years ago and what I did back then is a combo of standing vs. sitting. I think that is a better tactic. Next time I head down there, that is what I am going to do.
But if you were to tack, Danno's tip about going horizontal the last few feet to keep the speed up as you make the turn is probably good.
But if you were to tack, Danno's tip about going horizontal the last few feet to keep the speed up as you make the turn is probably good.
Yup... I learned that trick back when I was a slower climber trying to get up the last few feet of Mt Baldy.
dangerman
12-20-06, 11:40 AM
Does he skate down Fargo?
no, but I would if there was runout or curves. 30% makes it impossible to stop on inlines
David did a run down Stunt road, and decided that was enough.
jamlo21
12-20-06, 11:50 AM
what every one has said is true. On my first try, i was literally jumping on the pedals and wasn't going anywhere. I clipped out, put my foot down, slipped and slid down the hill maybe about 10 feet. Either go with a spotter, use shoes with rubber soles, or don't stop!!
thomson
12-20-06, 11:50 AM
no, but I would if there was runout or curves. 30% makes it impossible to stop on inlines
David did a run down Stunt road, and decided that was enough.
I just can't imagine that on skates. You guys are nuts!!! But I bet it is fun.
ronjon10
12-20-06, 12:33 PM
Oh, and my friend, Francis, has done this hill. I was supposed to go watch last year but I ended up on a ride. I'd love to get some snacks and a group together to go watch any BFer who wants to attempt it! :D
Yeah, I'll certainly go watch people make an attempt at this. It looks steep in the pics, and hills almost always look more tame in pictures than in person.
Speaking of the devil M.E., here's Francis on the climb:
http://lawheelmen.org/fargo/kermit10.jpg
i'm the opposite.... i can climb steeper stuff on my road bike than i can my MTB
Actually so can I but I think that has to do with terrain and inexperience. I'm just not as confident on the MTBike as I am on the road. Give me smooth asphalt and I'm good to go!
roadfix
12-20-06, 12:43 PM
i can climb steeper stuff on my road bike than i can my MTB
I can pretty much winch myself up practically anything with my mtb with a low gear of say 17". Although my road bikes are lighter and much more efficient, unless they're geared ridiculously low, I don't think I can climb anything as steep on my road bike as I can with my mountain bike.
.
jschen,
The year before last I went up on both my MB and RB. While it is easier on a MB it helps to have some MB experience as most do quite a bit of tacking to get up the hill. When you make your switch back you will be going very slow and as others have mentioned it can be an effort to keep the front end down. My recomendation would be to practice some slow speed climbing in the dirt. If you are comfortable at almost a stand still you can even get some rest as you traverse the hill! The event is also a fun spectator sport as many fall and slide down the hill on their cleats. The LA Wheelmen do a great job with the event and even provide spotters for those climbing. Those are the guys that really get the workout walking up and down the hill all day. Have fun, Bone
merider1
12-20-06, 03:51 PM
Yeah, I'll certainly go watch people make an attempt at this. It looks steep in the pics, and hills almost always look more tame in pictures than in person.
Speaking of the devil M.E., here's Francis on the climb:
Do you know him? He's crazy cycle man but really humble. I really do hope I get out to watch it this year!
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