Dujava

Overview

Dujava is a 5.4 km category 4 climb that gains a net 203 m, lifting you from a valley floor at 268 m to a summit of 471 m. On paper the 3.78% average gradient reads as gentle, and for much of its length it is exactly that — a steady, rhythmic grade you can ride seated and settle into. But the 9.16% max gradient tells you the profile is not perfectly even: somewhere along the way the road pitches up to more than double its average, and that pinch is what separates a smooth tempo effort from a scrappy one. As a category 4, this is the most approachable rung on the classification ladder, but 5.4 km is long enough that pacing still matters.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 3.78% average and the 9.16% maximum is the whole story here. If the climb were uniform it would sit comfortably under 4% the entire way, but a max more than five points above the mean means there is a distinct steep section that drags the peak upward while easier ramps pull the average back down. Expect a climb built in bands: long stretches around or below the average where you carry speed, broken by a short, sharper wall near that 9.16% figure. Note too that the net gain of 203 m exceeds the total ascent of 185 m in the recorded data, so treat the profile as a broadly continuous ascent rather than a rolling one — you climb, then you climb some more.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is modest, the temptation is to attack from the base — resist it. The smart approach is to ride the flatter opening bands at a controlled tempo, holding something in reserve for the 9.16% pinch, which is where riders who went out hard start to unravel. Keep your effort just below threshold on the gentle grades and only let it climb toward your FTP when the road kicks up. If you are unsure what wattage that corresponds to, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you ride so you have a concrete ceiling to pace against. Over 5.4 km, a steady negative split — easing into the climb and finishing stronger — will beat a hot start every time.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 3.78% with a 9.16% spike, most riders will be well served by a compact setup. A 34×32 gives you enough range to spin comfortably through the steep pinch without grinding, and it keeps your cadence high on the shallower bands. If you carry extra load, tire easily on longer efforts, or simply prefer to sit and spin, a 34×34 adds a touch more breathing room for that steepest section. Either choice lets you protect your legs on the 9.16% ramp and stay seated for the bulk of the 5.4 km.

Summary

Dujava is a friendly but honest category 4 climb: 5.4 km of mostly steady gradient with one sharp reminder that the average never tells the full story. Pace the easy bands, respect the 9.16% pinch, and the 203 m of gain comes together cleanly.

Length: 5.4 km
Average gradient: 3.78%
Max gradient: 9.16%
Start: 268 m
Summit: 471 m
Net gain: 203 m
Total ascent: 185 m
Category: 4