Jú de Limo

Overview

Jú de Limo is a long, high-altitude haul: 20.9 km of climbing that starts at 1015 m and tops out at 2171 m. That is a net gain of 1156 m, spread across an average gradient of 5.54%. On paper the average reads as friendly, but the length pushes this firmly into category 1 territory. Twenty-plus kilometres of continuous uphill demands respect regardless of how gentle the mean slope looks, and the thin air near the 2171 m summit only compounds the effort. This is a climb you settle into, not one you attack.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is that 5.54% average, but averages hide the story. With a maximum of 21.54%, the road clearly has ramps far steeper than the mean, meaning there must be shallower sections balancing them out. Note too that the total ascent (1108 m) is slightly less than the net elevation gain (1156 m) — a small quirk of the measured profile, but the practical takeaway is that almost every metre of this climb goes upward, with little to no descending relief to break the rhythm. Expect stretches that sit near or below the average where you can breathe, punctuated by sharper pitches that spike toward that 21.54% figure and force you out of the saddle or into your easiest gear.

Pacing Notes

Over 20.9 km, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a sustainable percentage of it for the long shallow sections, saving matches for the steep ramps rather than burning them early. A climb this long punishes anyone who goes out hot in the first few kilometres — the 2171 m altitude means recovery gets harder the higher you go. If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, then aim to ride the flatter portions comfortably below threshold and let your power drift up only when the gradient forces it. Fuel and drink steadily from the bottom; 1156 m of climbing is a long time in the red if you misjudge it.

Gearing

With ramps touching 21.54% near the top of a climb that has already drained you for many kilometres, gearing is your friend. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline here. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steeper pitches, but on tired legs at 2171 m altitude a 34×34 gives you a genuine bail-out gear for the 21.54% sections and lets you spin rather than grind. If your bike accepts it, err toward the larger cassette — you will rarely regret carrying an extra sprocket on a category 1 climb this long, and the ability to keep cadence high protects your legs for the full 20.9 km.

Summary

Jú de Limo rewards patience: a long, steady category 1 ascent with enough gradient variation to keep you honest and a max ramp that demands proper gearing. Pace it by feel and power, gear low, and let the summit come to you.

Length: 20.9 km
Average gradient: 5.54%
Max gradient: 21.54%
Start: 1015 m
Summit: 2171 m
Net gain: 1156 m
Total ascent: 1108 m
Category: 1