Alto El Rabizo

Overview

Alto El Rabizo is a category 4 climb that stretches 7.5 km from a base at 920 m to a summit at 1168 m. That gives a net elevation gain of 248 m, with total ascent measured at 247 m — the two figures sitting almost on top of each other, which tells you this is a road that goes up and stays up rather than one that saws through dips and false flats. The average gradient of 3.32% places it firmly in the "tempo" bracket: steep enough to register in the legs, shallow enough that you rarely leave the saddle. With a maximum gradient of 7.33%, the hardest ramp is roughly a bit more than double the average, so the difficulty is concentrated rather than relentless.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Spread 248 m of climbing across 7.5 km and you get a consistently gentle drag. Because the average is 3.32% and the steepest pitch touches 7.33%, the road never doubles back on a wall — the peak ramp is only about 4 percentage points above the mean. Expect long stretches close to the average, punctuated by the occasional steeper kick that briefly loads the legs before easing again. The near-identical net gain (248 m) and total ascent (247 m) confirm there is essentially no downhill relief inside the climb: every metre you gain, you keep. That makes El Rabizo a rhythm climb — find a cadence and hold it.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steady, pacing is about discipline rather than survival. Riders should settle into a sustainable effort well under threshold and let the 3.32% average do its quiet work. Anchor your effort to your FTP: a good target for a 7.5 km category 4 grade is a comfortably-below-threshold zone that you can hold to the top without fading. When the gradient nudges toward the 7.33% maximum, resist the urge to surge — a small cadence drop costs far less than a spike that leaves you cooked for the remaining kilometres. If you are unsure of your numbers, run them through the FTP estimator before you plan the effort, then divide the 7.5 km into thirds and check you are on rhythm at each split.

Gearing

The modest 3.32% average and capped 7.33% maximum mean El Rabizo does not demand deep climbing gears, but comfort matters on any sustained ascent. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide cassette is more than enough here. A 34×32 combination gives most riders a relaxed spinning gear for the steeper 7.33% pitches while keeping your cadence high across the long tempo sections. If you prefer to keep something in reserve — or you ride heavy, tired, or loaded — a 34×34 buys extra insurance for the ramps without any real downside. Either way, you will spend most of the 7.5 km seated and spinning rather than grinding.

Summary

Alto El Rabizo rewards patience over power: a long, even category 4 climb where holding a clean rhythm matters more than raw watts. Pace it steady, gear it comfortably, and the 248 m of gain to 1168 m will pass with room to spare.

Length: 7.5 km
Average gradient: 3.32%
Max gradient: 7.33%
Start: 920 m
Summit: 1168 m
Net gain: 248 m
Total ascent: 247 m
Category: 4