Bocca di Forlì

Overview

Bocca di Forlì is a long, patient climb rather than a brutal one. Over 21 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 282 m to a summit of 1004 m, a net gain of 722 m. Because that height is spread across so much distance, the average gradient settles at a friendly 3.43% — a number that flatters the effort until you meet the steeper pitches. The category 2 rating tells the story well: hard enough to demand respect and pacing, but well short of the sustained wall you would expect from a category 1 or an HC monster. This is a climb you ride with your head as much as your legs.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline 3.43% average hides real variation. With a maximum gradient of 11.26%, the climb clearly stacks up steep ramps against long, gentler drags that pull the average back down. The gap between total ascent (765 m) and net elevation gain (722 m) confirms the road is not a clean, one-way climb — those extra 43 m of ascent mean there are dips and false flats where the road gives back a little height before clawing it away again. Expect the profile to breathe: sections where you spin comfortably, punctuated by short pitches approaching 11.26% that force you out of rhythm. Reading the road ahead matters here more than raw power.

Pacing Notes

The trap on a climb like this is treating the modest 3.43% average as license to push too hard early. Over 21 km, small over-efforts compound. Anchor your pacing to your FTP and aim to ride the gentle sections just below threshold so you have headroom when the gradient rears toward 11.26%. If you do not know your threshold number, run it through the FTP estimator before you go, then hold a steady, sustainable effort and let the steep ramps be the only place your power spikes. Banking energy across the first half is what turns the final kilometres toward 1004 m into a controlled finish rather than a survival crawl.

Gearing

For a 21 km effort with pitches to 11.26%, give yourself gearing that lets you keep a high cadence when the road tilts up. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette suits most riders who climb regularly and want to stay seated and spinning. If you carry any fatigue, ride at a lower power-to-weight, or simply want insurance for the steepest ramps, step up to 34×34 — the extra sprocket keeps your legs turning instead of grinding. The average is gentle, but the max gradient is what dictates your smallest gear, so choose for the 11.26% pitches, not the 3.43% average.

Summary

Bocca di Forlì rewards patience: 21 km of mostly moderate gradient with just enough sharp ramps to keep you honest. Pace to your threshold, gear for the steep bits, and the 722 m to the summit come steadily.

Length: 21 km
Average gradient: 3.43%
Max gradient: 11.26%
Start: 282 m
Summit: 1004 m
Net gain: 722 m
Total ascent: 765 m
Category: 2