Conway Summit

Overview

Conway Summit is a Category 3 climb in the United States, running 10.4 km from a start elevation of 2,062 m to a summit of 2,477 m. The net elevation gain over that distance is 415 m, giving it a modest headline profile on paper: a mid-length climb at altitude with an average gradient of 3.98%.

The number that reshapes the effort is total ascent. While the net gain is 415 m, the total ascent is 658 m — a difference of 243 m of climbing that does not show up in the point-to-point figure. That gap is undulation: the road gives elevation back before taking it again. You will climb the equivalent of an extra 243 m that the net figure hides, which means the perceived effort sits well above what a flat 3.98% grade would suggest.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An average gradient of 3.98% is misleading here because the undulation means the real climbing is concentrated. Flat and descending sections drag the average down, so the pitches where you actually climb are steeper than 3.98%. The steepest ramp reaches 19.11%, a short wall that demands a hard change of effort and gearing.

Across the profile, expect:

• Flatter or recovery sections where the road eases or gives back elevation
• Repeated short climbs stacked between those recoveries, which is where the 243 m of hidden ascent lives
• A steepest ramp of 19.11% that briefly spikes the effort well above the average

Pacing Notes

On a smooth, steady climb, even-effort and even-speed pacing converge. On Conway Summit they diverge sharply because of the undulation. Chasing even speed here punishes you — you would push far too hard over the short 19.11% ramp and the stacked pitches. Instead, pace by even effort: hold a steady output through the steep sections and let your speed rise on the flatter and descending stretches rather than adding power there.

Anchor that effort to your sustainable power output so you do not overcommit on the early ramps. If you do not know your threshold, run the FTP estimator before you ride and set a ceiling you can hold for the full 10.4 km.

Gearing

The 19.11% maximum gradient governs your gearing choice. A standard setup will leave you grinding on that ramp at low cadence. Fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 low gear gives you a spinning option when the road hits its steepest. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride; the flatter middle sections will not save you on the wall.

Summary

• Length: 10.4 km
• Average gradient: 3.98%
• Maximum gradient: 19.11%
• Net elevation gain: 415 m
• Total ascent: 658 m
• Category: 3

Conway Summit reads as a gentle Category 3 climb but rides harder than its 3.98% average because 243 m of the 658 m total ascent is hidden in undulation. Pace by effort, gear for the 19.11% ramp, and treat the net gain as the floor rather than the full workload.