Poll

6 votes (35.29%)
4 votes (23.52%)
1 vote (5.88%)
4 votes (23.52%)
2 votes (11.76%)

17 members have voted

Wizard
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Wizard
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December 30th, 2015 at 11:38:48 AM permalink
It is my ultimate goal to unicycle up Fargo Street in Los Angeles on a unicycle. I have easily done it on a bicycle, as you can see in this video. As a stepping stone to that challenge on a unicycle, I've been practicing on the steepest paved hill I could find in Las Vegas. Here is my video of it.



At its steepest, this hill has a slope of 32%, which is about the same as Fargo Street. However, that section is only about 15 feet. Fargo Street is that steep but over a much longer distance.

That question for the poll is what do you think of the accomplishment?

My thanks to VegasAces for producing the video.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
coilman
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December 30th, 2015 at 11:47:07 AM permalink
Does RED ROCK CANYON have any steep areas that might be a little longer for training on? I seem to remember a few people on bicycles having a hard time with the climb there
Hunterhill
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December 30th, 2015 at 12:05:19 PM permalink
You could also try Filbert st in San Francisco.
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ThatDonGuy
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December 30th, 2015 at 12:12:42 PM permalink
Quote: Hunterhill

You could also try Filbert st in San Francisco.


Not without breaking the law; the steep part of Filbert Street, like the crooked part of Lombard, is one way downhill, and unicycles have to travel in the traffic direction in California.
Wizard
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December 30th, 2015 at 12:21:34 PM permalink
Quote: coilman

Does RED ROCK CANYON have any steep areas that might be a little longer for training on? I seem to remember a few people on bicycles having a hard time with the climb there



I've bicycled and unicycled the Red Rock loop lots of times. While there are nice sustained hills, they are nowhere near 33% in slope. More like 15%. It is more of a distance challenge than steepness challenge.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
EvenBob
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December 30th, 2015 at 12:37:03 PM permalink
I only vote in polls with a bigot option. I'm
waiting for you to do this. Looks easy enough.

"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
Wizard
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December 30th, 2015 at 4:40:01 PM permalink
Stay tuned for me doing that, except without the juggling.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
kewlj
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December 30th, 2015 at 4:56:47 PM permalink
You are a "funny" kind of guy, Mr Wizard. :)

33% grade is steeper than I think some realize. I don't even like walking up a 33% grade. lol That's what chauffeur/drivers are for.
GWAE
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December 30th, 2015 at 5:12:31 PM permalink
I am trying to figure out how steep that is. I am thinking I see signs on roads with 12 percent grade so 33 must be huge..
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RogerKint
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December 30th, 2015 at 5:16:12 PM permalink
Truly inspirational. Charging uphill, right forearm out front, taking no prisoners. Were you in a comparable gear to your unicycle when you did it on the bicycle? I've been riding a fixed gear bike since 08 and wouldn't be able to conquer Fargo without standing up or pedal straps. Hope you can do it!
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Wizard
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December 30th, 2015 at 5:18:52 PM permalink
Quote: kewlj

You are a "funny" kind of guy, Mr Wizard. :)

33% grade is steeper than I think some realize. I don't even like walking up a 33% grade. lol That's what chauffeur/drivers are for.



The Unigeezer also questioned my claim that this hill at a 33% grade.

First, I claim it is only about 33% at the top.

Second, I calculated this using a 2-foot level and a tape measure. Using the bubble I made sure the level was level and formed a right triangle between the pavement as the hypotenuse, the level as the x-axis and the tape measure as the y-axis. The drop of the y-axis was 8 inches. 8/24 = 33%.

There are lots of videos of the Fargo Street bicycle challenge and they often mention it has a slope of 33%.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Ibeatyouraces
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December 30th, 2015 at 5:23:33 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

The Unigeezer also questioned my claim that this hill at a 33% grade.

First, I claim it is only about 33% at the top.

Second, I calculated this using a 2-foot level and a tape measure. Using the bubble I made sure the level was level and formed a right triangle between the pavement as the hypotenuse, the level as the x-axis and the tape measure as the y-axis. The drop of the y-axis was 8 inches. 8/24 = 33%.

There are lots of videos of the Fargo Street bicycle challenge and they often mention it has a slope of 33%.


One of these would've been easier.

DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
Wizard
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December 30th, 2015 at 5:26:11 PM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

One of these would've been easier.



Now you tell me.

I must have looked like quite the geek with a unicycle, calculator, and two rulers there on the path.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Ibeatyouraces
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December 30th, 2015 at 5:31:15 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Now you tell me.

I must have looked like quite the geek with a unicycle, calculator, and two rulers there on the path.


I worked in machine shops for 15 years. It's the first thing that came to mind. The come in handy sometimes.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
coilman
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December 30th, 2015 at 5:45:02 PM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

One of these would've been easier.



Yes the great tool I used so many times to align those satellite dishes years ago

I laughed out loud reading Mikes post on how he did it thinking ,,,,,man for $8 at home depot it would have taken only a few seconds

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Johnson-Pitch-and-Angle-Locator-750/100193539
Ibeatyouraces
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December 30th, 2015 at 6:19:05 PM permalink
Quote: coilman

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

One of these would've been easier.



Yes the great tool I used so many times to align those satellite dishes years ago

I laughed out loud reading Mikes post on how he did it thinking ,,,,,man for $8 at home depot it would have taken only a few seconds

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Johnson-Pitch-and-Angle-Locator-750/100193539


We used them a lot in the boring mill shop.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
Hunterhill
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December 30th, 2015 at 7:40:47 PM permalink
Was it really boring? :)
The mountain is tall but grass grows on top of the mountain.
Ibeatyouraces
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December 30th, 2015 at 7:55:15 PM permalink
Quote: Hunterhill

Was it really boring? :)


Sometimes.
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Wizard
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January 7th, 2016 at 4:33:32 PM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

One of these would've been easier.



I got such a tool the other day at Lowe's and brought it to the hill in question today. It showed an angle of 15 degrees. That is equivalent to a slope of tan(15)=27%. Okay, that is a little short of the 32% that I claimed, but still in the same ballpark.

If there are still skeptics, I have pictures in my camera to prove it.
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MrV
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January 7th, 2016 at 5:01:36 PM permalink
Mike, next time you fly to the Big Island, try unicycling up Waipio Valley Road.

30% - 39%.
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Wizard
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January 7th, 2016 at 5:28:22 PM permalink
Quote: MrV

Mike, next time you fly to the Big Island, try unicycling up Waipio Valley Road.



Yeah, I've seen another video of that. No way I could do that on a unicycle but would love to challenge it on a mountain bike.
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beachbumbabs
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January 7th, 2016 at 11:51:28 PM permalink
Quote: MrV

Mike, next time you fly to the Big Island, try unicycling up Waipio Valley Road.

30% - 39%.



Drove that several times while I was working over there. It's a trip. Frightening in places; no shoulder, no guardrail, just off the mountain you go.
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