Dyrskar

Overview

Dyrskar sits in Norway at an already-elevated start of 975 m, finishing at a summit of 1179 m. The net elevation gain across 5.3 km is 204 m, but the total ascent of 289 m tells a more complete story — the road undulates enough that your legs accumulate significantly more climbing than the start-to-finish differential suggests.

At Category 4, this is not a brutal wall, but the combination of high starting altitude and a max gradient of 11.57% means it rewards riders who read the road rather than ride by average numbers.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 3.86% average gradient is mild on paper. In practice, that figure is pulled down by flatter or rolling sections that allow brief recovery. The 11.57% maximum is nearly three times the average, which points to at least one sharp ramp — likely a short, punchy wall — embedded within otherwise moderate terrain.

Expect the climb to feel like this in broad strokes:

• Lower section: Moderate gradient, possibly the flattest part of the climb. Use this to settle into a sustainable rhythm and resist the urge to push hard early.
• Middle section: Gradient begins to vary more noticeably. The total ascent figure being 85 m greater than the net gain suggests the road kicks up, eases, and kicks again through here.
• Upper ramps: Where the maximum of 11.57% is most likely to appear. Short but sharp, this section will expose any pacing mistakes made below.

Pacing Notes

The gap between average and maximum gradient is the key pacing signal on Dyrskar. Riding the early kilometers at an effort calibrated to the average will leave you over-cooked when the steep ramp arrives.

Target effort: Aim to hold a power output aligned with 90–95% of your FTP on the moderate sections, preserving enough to push through the 11.57% pitch without blowing up. If you're unsure of your current FTP, use the FTP estimator before planning your effort.

Cadence: On the steeper ramp, cadence management is critical. A high starting altitude of 975 m means air is marginally thinner than at sea level — not dramatically so, but enough that cardiovascular load runs slightly higher than gradient alone predicts. Keep cadence above 75 rpm where possible to avoid muscular fatigue accumulating before the summit.

Gearing Recommendations

For most riders, a compact chainset (50/34) paired with an 11-28 or 11-32 cassette is sufficient. The 11.57% max is manageable in a 34×28 combination at reasonable cadence. Riders on a standard 53/39 setup should ensure they have at least a 28-tooth sprocket available — grinding the steep ramp in too large a gear at this elevation carries a real fatigue cost that lingers after the summit.

Key Takeaway

Dyrskar rewards patience. Its modest average disguises a climb with genuine punch. Treat the opening kilometers as a controlled warm-up, conserve through the flatter mid-sections, and have something in reserve for the upper gradient spikes. The 85 m difference between net gain and total ascent confirms this is not a straightforward linear grind — position your effort accordingly.