col du Pendu

Overview

Col du Pendu is a Category 1 climb in France that earns its classification honestly. At 6.9 km with an average gradient of 7.75% and a net elevation gain of 536 m, it sits firmly in the territory that separates prepared climbers from those who underestimated the briefing. The raw numbers, however, only tell part of the story.

The total ascent figure of 932 m against a net gain of 536 m signals something important before you even clip in: this is not a clean, linear ramp. Significant elevation is lost and regained across the route, meaning your legs absorb far more work than the net gain suggests. Factor that into your FTP-based pacing before you start.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The start elevation of 895 m places you well above the valley floor, and the road begins working immediately. With a 7.75% average sustained over 6.9 km, there is no long gentle introduction. Expect the early kilometres to set a rhythm that most riders will need to consciously hold back on — the temptation to ride the average is a trap when a 45.21% maximum gradient lies somewhere ahead.

That maximum gradient figure demands attention. A 45% pitch is not a statistical anomaly — it is a genuine wall, the kind of ramp that forces even strong climbers into a decision: commit with momentum or grind through it seated at the edge of traction. Identifying where this section falls on the road is critical pre-ride homework. If it appears in the second half, going out too hard in the early kilometres will leave nothing in reserve when you need it most.

The gap between the net gain (536 m) and total ascent (932 m) confirms that the profile includes descents or flatter sections that reset momentum. These are not rest intervals — they are transitions that interrupt rhythm and require you to re-accelerate, often into a wall section immediately after.

Pacing Notes

• Ride well below threshold on the opening kilometres. With a 7.75% average and an unknown distribution of extreme ramps, burning matches early is the primary cause of blow-ups here.
• The 45% section requires a specific tactic. Approach with enough speed to carry momentum, but not so much that you arrive already deep in oxygen debt. If you have pre-ridden or studied the segment, know exactly where it sits and plan your effort around it.
• Total ascent vs net gain matters for fuelling. 932 m of climbing at race pace is a significant caloric draw. Treat this like a longer effort than the 536 m net gain implies. Fuel early, not when you feel depleted.
• Pacing against FTP is non-negotiable. Riders who target a fixed watt output referenced to their FTP consistently outperform those riding by feel on climbs with this much gradient variance.

Gearing

For most riders, a compact chainset (50/34 or 46/30) paired with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette is the floor for this climb, not the ceiling. The 45% maximum gradient will push any rider — regardless of fitness — toward the easiest available gear. Showing up with an aggressive cassette to save a few watts on the flat approach is a mistake that becomes obvious the moment the road tilts past 20%.

If you are riding a standard double, assess your lowest gear ratio honestly against a 45% pitch before committing to the ascent. What feels comfortable on a 10% climb is a different conversation entirely at 45%.

Summary

Col du Pendu is a Category 1 climb that rewards preparation and punishes assumptions. The 7.75% average is demanding across 6.9 km; the 45.21% maximum gradient is a genuine extreme. Total ascent of 932 m for a 536 m net gain means the legs take more punishment than headline numbers suggest. Go in with the right gearing, a conservative early pace, and a clear plan for the steepest ramp.