El Vino

Overview

El Vino is a genuine hors catégorie monster: 21.8 km of relentless climbing at an average gradient of 7.63%. From a base at 1185 m it hauls you all the way to a summit of 2850 m, a net elevation gain of 1665 m with 1643 m of total ascent along the way. That near-perfect match between net gain and total ascent tells you something important — there is almost no downhill relief here. Once you start climbing, you keep climbing. Add the high-altitude summit and this becomes one of the most demanding sustained efforts you can put your legs through.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number, 7.63%, is punishing on its own — but averages hide the story. With a maximum pitch of 18.26%, El Vino more than doubles its average gradient at its cruelest point. Over 21.8 km that means long stretches sitting right around 7 to 8 percent, punctuated by ramps that spike toward 18.26% and force you out of rhythm. Because total ascent (1643 m) so closely tracks net gain (1665 m), you never get a false flat or descent to spin your legs back to life. The climb simply tilts upward and stays there, gaining an average of roughly 76 metres of altitude for every kilometre travelled.

Pacing Notes

The single biggest mistake on a climb like this is starting too hard. Over 21.8 km at 7.63%, discipline beats bravado every time. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to sit just below it for the sustained sections, saving a small buffer for the ramps toward 18.26% where your power will naturally surge. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pacing plan. Remember too that the summit sits at 2850 m — thin air will quietly clip your ceiling, so the power you hold in the final kilometres will be lower than what you managed near the 1185 m base. Plan for a fade and pace conservatively early.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. A sustained 7.63% for 21.8 km, with spikes to 18.26% and a summit above 2850 m, rewards a wide-range cassette and low bailout gears. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low is the sensible baseline for strong climbers who want to stay seated and spin. For most riders — and for anyone carrying fatigue into the upper slopes — step down further to a 34×34 to protect your knees and keep your cadence alive on the steepest ramps. At altitude, a gear or two in reserve is worth its weight; you will be glad of the 34×34 when the road reaches toward 18.26%.

Summary

El Vino is a summit-finish HC climb that demands respect: long, steep, and unrelenting from bottom to top with no recovery to be found. Pace it off your threshold, gear low, and treat the altitude as the extra opponent it is.

Length: 21.8 km
Average gradient: 7.63%
Max gradient: 18.26%
Start: 1185 m
Summit: 2850 m
Net gain: 1665 m
Total ascent: 1643 m
Category: HC