Cyclists Conquered Steep Hills in Duluth
Eight riders tackled a 35-mile route featuring 5,000 feet of vertical climbing.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Cycling
Eight cyclists completed a challenging 35-mile ride through Duluth on September 26. The route was specifically mapped to include the city's steepest hills, resulting in a total of 5,000 feet of climbing.
Why it matters
The event reflects a growing interest in high-intensity hill climbing among local cycling enthusiasts. By testing endurance against steep terrain, the ride highlights the extreme physical demands required to traverse Duluth's geography.
The inaugural event featured 8 participants covering 35 miles with 5,000 total vertical feet of climbing. Riders navigated a course designed to utilize the steepest hills available in Duluth.
The players
Erik Brohaugh
He is the organizer who initiated the inaugural hill climbing event.
The Bike Cave
This local establishment provided merchandise to support the event participants.
Twin Ports Cyclery
This local retailer contributed merchandise for the cyclists who completed the course.
The details
Organizer Erik Brohaugh designed the route using the Strava app to identify the most difficult inclines in the city. Participants received customized tumblers as trophies, with support from local businesses including The Bike Cave and Twin Ports Cyclery.
Timeline
September 26, 2026: Eight cyclists completed the hills event.
Roadmap
The event utilizes the Strava app to formalize local training routes in a way that modern recreational cycling increasingly relies upon. This shift allows organizers to create community challenges that mirror the data-driven performance culture seen in professional cycling.
The route design utilized 5,000 feet of climbing over 35 miles, significantly higher than a standard flat-terrain ride. Future participants should account for the extreme elevation gain when planning their fitness and bike gearing for the course.
The takeaway
This event demonstrates how local organizers can create rigorous athletic challenges using simple digital mapping tools. Riders interested in similar challenges should focus on building hill-climbing endurance to manage the specific terrain found in Duluth.
What happens next
The organizer hopes to expand the event in future iterations.
Further reading
Learn more about local events at the Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Duluth News Tribune.
