Colle di Roio

Overview

Colle di Roio is a short, approachable category 4 climb that packs 4.5 km of steady uphill riding into a single tidy effort. It starts at 620 m and tops out at 815 m, giving a net elevation gain of 195 m over the length of the ascent. The average gradient sits at a manageable 4.32%, with the steepest section pitching up to 6.82%. That combination makes it an ideal climb for riders building confidence on sustained gradients, or for anyone looking to log a controlled effort without the punishing ramps of a higher category.

The numbers tell the story of a climb with rhythm rather than drama. Nothing here is likely to blow your legs apart in a single moment, but 4.5 km of continuous elevation adds up, and the total ascent of 180 m demands honest, even effort from bottom to top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With a 4.32% average and a 6.82% maximum, Colle di Roio is a climb of moderation. The gap between the average and the max is only 2.5 percentage points, which tells you the road rarely strays far from its middle register. Expect long, consistent stretches sitting right around the average, punctuated by a firmer pitch toward that 6.82% figure.

Because the net gain of 195 m is spread across the full 4.5 km, there are no extended flat reprieves to hide behind, but equally no walls to fear. The climb rewards riders who settle into a cadence early and hold it. Think of it as a metronome rather than a rollercoaster.

Pacing Notes

The most efficient way up a climb this evenly graded is to ride at or just below your threshold and refuse to spike. Anchoring your effort to your FTP keeps you from overcooking the steeper 6.82% pitch and paying for it across the remaining kilometres. On a 4.32% average, small surges cost far more than they gain.

If you are not sure where your threshold sits, use the FTP estimator to establish a target before you ride. Aim to arrive at the 815 m summit having spent your effort smoothly across all 4.5 km rather than in bursts.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.32% and topping out at 6.82%, most riders will be comfortable on a compact setup. A 34×32 lowest gear gives you plenty of room to spin the steeper sections without grinding, and it keeps your cadence high enough to protect your legs over the full 4.5 km.

If you prefer to sit and turn a lighter gear, or you are carrying fatigue from earlier climbing, a 34×34 adds a touch more insurance on the 6.82% pitch. Neither is strictly necessary for a rider in good form, but both make the 195 m of net gain feel like a rhythm exercise rather than a struggle.

Summary

Colle di Roio is a friendly, well-mannered category 4 climb: short enough to attack, steady enough to pace, and honest enough to reward good rhythm. Settle in, hold your cadence, and let the metronome carry you to the top.

Length: 4.5 km
Average gradient: 4.32%
Max gradient: 6.82%
Start: 620 m
Summit: 815 m
Net gain: 195 m
Total ascent: 180 m
Category: 4