Dayuling

Overview

Dayuling is a category 2 climb that packs a serious punch into a compact 7.4 km. What sets it apart is the altitude: you begin at 1999 m and finish at 2509 m, so every pedal stroke happens in thin mountain air. The average gradient of 6.91% is honest and sustained rather than gentle, and with a maximum of 11.11% there are ramps that will bite if you arrive at them carrying too much speed or too little in reserve. Net elevation gain across the effort is 510 m, while the recorded total ascent sits at 453 m, a small difference that reflects the climb's steady upward march with only minor undulation along the way.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining number here is consistency. An average of 6.91% over 7.4 km means there is very little respite built into the profile — no long flat shelves to soft-pedal and recover. Instead the road tilts up and stays up. The gap between the 6.91% average and the 11.11% maximum tells you the story of the hardest sections: the steepest pitches sit roughly four points above the average, so when the gradient spikes it demands real force rather than a shift of body weight. Between those ramps the slope settles back toward the mean, giving you brief windows to reset your breathing before the next lift. Treat the climb as one long, deliberate effort punctuated by short surges rather than a series of distinct stages.

Pacing Notes

At altitude, pacing discipline matters more than usual — the air above 1999 m offers less oxygen, so an effort that feels sustainable at sea level can tip you over the edge here. Anchor your pacing to your FTP and aim to ride the 6.91% sections a touch below threshold, banking that margin for the 11.11% ramps where power inevitably jumps. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit. The key is to meter the surges: let the steep pitches cost you a little, but never let them blow your whole effort apart, because there is no long descent to recover on before the 2509 m summit.

Gearing

Given the sustained 6.91% grade, the thin air, and pitches touching 11.11%, gear low and gear early. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette will get most fit riders up the steep sections while keeping cadence respectable. If you tend to grind, or you want insurance for the 11.11% ramps at altitude, size up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket buys you a smoother spin exactly where the road is meanest. Higher cadence protects your legs over the full 7.4 km and helps you cope with reduced oxygen near the top.

Summary

Dayuling is a short but uncompromising high-altitude climb: 7.4 km at a steady 6.91%, with 11.11% ramps and a 510 m net rise topping out at 2509 m. Pace it below threshold, gear generously, and respect the thin air.

Length: 7.4 km
Average gradient: 6.91%
Max gradient: 11.11%
Start: 1999 m
Summit: 2509 m
Net gain: 510 m
Total ascent: 453 m
Category: 2