el Puerto del Hombre

Overview

El Puerto del Hombre is a 7.2 km climb that earns its category 2 rating through steady, unrelenting work rather than a single wall. From a start elevation of 85 m it lifts you to a 469 m summit, a net gain of 384 m across the ascent. The average gradient sits at 5.36%, which reads as approachable on paper but hides a sting: the steepest ramp bites at 14.99%, nearly three times the average. This is a climb that rewards riders who respect the whole distance and refuse to be lured into burning matches early.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of El Puerto del Hombre is the gap between its 5.36% average and its 14.99% maximum. A climb this length holding that average means long stretches sit close to a rhythm-friendly grade, punctuated by pitches that spike well into double digits. The recorded total ascent of 361 m sits slightly below the 384 m net gain figure, a normal artifact of how the profile is measured, and it tells you the road climbs almost continuously rather than rolling with descents. Expect no meaningful recovery: what you gain, you keep. The 14.99% pinch is where the climb is decided, so read the road ahead and shift before you hit it, not during.

Pacing Notes

At 7.2 km this is a sustained effort, long enough that pacing matters more than raw power. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to ride the 5.36% sections just below threshold, leaving headroom for the 14.99% ramp where your power will naturally surge. If you don't have a current threshold number, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your pacing. The classic mistake here is treating the gentle average as an invitation to push hard early, then arriving at the steepest pitch already over the line. Hold something in reserve for the final third and the 469 m summit comes far more comfortably.

Gearing

Given a 14.99% maximum on a climb that gains 384 m, prioritise a bailout gear over top-end speed. A compact 34-tooth chainring is the sensible front choice. Pair it with a 34×32 if you have strong legs and want to keep momentum through the steep pitch, but most riders will be happier with a 34×34, which turns that 14.99% ramp from a grind into a spin. The lower ratio lets you protect your cadence over the full 7.2 km rather than forcing muscular efforts you'll pay for near the top.

Summary

El Puerto del Hombre is a fair but demanding category 2 test: a consistent 5.36% average that lulls you before the 14.99% pitch asks the real question. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and the 384 m of climbing to the 469 m summit becomes a satisfying, repeatable effort.

Length: 7.2 km
Average gradient: 5.36%
Max gradient: 14.99%
Start: 85 m
Summit: 469 m
Net gain: 384 m
Total ascent: 361 m
Category: 2