Alto de Biscoy

Overview

Alto de Biscoy is a category 2 climb that trades brute steepness for sustained effort. Over 11.7 km it averages 4.3%, carrying you from a 651 m start to a 1153 m summit — a net gain of 502 m. That modest headline gradient hides a real climb: the length alone puts it firmly in the honest-work bracket, and a max pitch of 11.63% means there is at least one section that demands genuine respect. Categorisation runs from HC (hors catégorie, the hardest) down through 1, 2, 3 and 4, so a 2 signals a proper mountain effort without the savagery of the top tier.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.3% average and the 11.63% maximum is the whole story here. A climb that rose evenly at 4.3% would gain roughly 502 m over 11.7 km at a steady, rhythmic tilt — but Biscoy does not deliver its 502 m in a flat line. The presence of an 11.63% ramp means gentler stretches must exist to pull the average back down, so expect the road to breathe: shallower drags where you can settle into cadence, punctuated by steeper kicks that spike the effort. The total ascent of 484 m sits just below the 502 m net figure, a sign the road climbs almost relentlessly upward with little in the way of descending relief along the way.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. The average of 4.3% is a gradient most riders can hold comfortably near or just below threshold, so anchor your effort to your sustainable power rather than the terrain. Use the shallow sections to bank rhythm and keep your heart rate under control, then absorb the 11.63% pitch as a short overshoot rather than a new baseline — let power rise briefly there, then recover as the road eases. If you know your FTP, aim to sit a touch under it for the bulk of the 11.7 km and save headroom for the steep ramp. Not sure of your number? Run it through the FTP estimator before you tackle the full 502 m of climbing.

Gearing

Length matters more than steepness when choosing gearing here, because you will be turning the pedals for the better part of 11.7 km. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette gives you the spread to spin the 4.3% stretches efficiently and still survive the 11.63% pitch without grinding. A 34×32 is a sensible baseline for strong riders who want to keep cadence high across the whole 502 m of ascent. If you prefer more insurance — or you are riding tired legs late in a long day — a 34×34 buys you extra spin on the steepest ramp and keeps your knees happy over the sustained gradient.

Summary

Alto de Biscoy rewards patience: hold a steady effort, respect the single steep ramp, and let the 11.7 km tick by beneath a controlled cadence. It is a category 2 climb that feels its length, delivering 502 m of gain to a genuine mountain summit.

Length: 11.7 km
Average gradient: 4.3%
Max gradient: 11.63%
Start: 651 m
Summit: 1153 m
Net gain: 502 m
Total ascent: 484 m
Category: 2