Tall Tree Cycles Ride Log: Hell Climb for Kidneys: July 25

Graphic Design: Greg Cosgrove

We are just two weeks away from this year's Hell Climb up the Fortune Parkway. Conceived as an opportunity to hold a FUN-raiser on a weeknight, the Hell Climb has evolved into a brilliant display of cycling culture, featuring inventive costumes and bike choices, raucous family teams, and a solid dose of uphill enjoyment/suffering.

The Hell Climb is a FUN-raiser event, devoting all revenue to the Ottawa Hospital's Kidney Research Centre (KRC). The KRC is comprised of a team of individuals, including Tall Tree Cycles team rider Todd Fairhead, devoted to finding better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat all forms of kidney disease.

Entry to the Hell Climb is a minimum $10 donation.

This is a typical time trial format. The ascent begins at P10 (at the gate of the Fortune Parkway), and extends to Champlain Lookout (at the sign). The route is 6.2k and climbs 166m. So, as far as climbs go, its not terribly hard. Unless you are on a fat bike, pulling a couple kids, or going for the KOM or QOM!

Click 'view full route' for metric data.

On Wednesday, July 25th, participants will register at P10 at the base of the Fortune Parkway at 6pm.

Riders will register by making their $10 (minimum) contribution, at which point they will receive their staging numbers. Riders will go off at 30 second intervals. As this is a grassroots event that is all about combining fun and challenge, we will be using stopwatch timing. Riders will return to P10 for results and prizes.

We will have five categories:
Open Men - regular road bikes
Open Women - regular road bikes
Fixed Men - all ages, no gear restrictions!
Fixed Women - all ages, no gear restrictions!
Super-Modified - wild and wacky family friendly: tandems, mtbs, trail-a-bikes, kids in trailers...

As initiated in 2011, the Hell Climb turns it up to 11 by encouraging non-team kit, Unafilliated. This means anything but regular team kit is welcome: retro, vintage, costume, stylish, poseur, hideous...whatever. The idea is to have fun with it! Yes, we will have a photo car! Last year's costumes and bikes were nothing short of incredible, with James Cowan taking the top prize.

James' Bixi bill was a little steeper than expected, but hey, he's famous on the Internet!

Prizes will be awarded to the top and Lanterne Rouge finishers from the Open and Fixed categories, and fastest male and female riders. Prizes will be drawn for the Super-Modified category. Prizes will also be awarded to best and worst dressed. Only riders riding Unafilliated will qualify for these prizes. Re:Form Body Clinic has kindly put up gift certificates for one hour of massage for the top male and female finishers! Thanks Re:Form! There's nothing like massage therapy for mangled legs! Outdoor Gear Canada has also contributed a slew of great prizes; thanks Dave Shirley! Specialized Canada and NRG Enterprises are also on board, providing yet more great prizes!