La Cadena

Overview

La Cadena is a category 3 climb that rewards riders who like a rhythm they can settle into. Over 5.7 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 87 m to a summit at 338 m, a net elevation gain of 251 m. The average gradient sits at 4.42%, and the steepest ramp tops out at just 5.88% — which tells you almost everything about the character of this climb. There are no walls here, no lurching hairpins that spike into the teens. Instead, La Cadena is a sustained, honest grind that stays remarkably close to its average the whole way up. The total ascent registered along the route is 231 m, a touch under the net figure, confirming that the profile climbs almost continuously without meaningful descents to give back what you have earned.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.42% average and the 5.88% maximum is small — only about 1.46 percentage points separate the typical pitch from the hardest. That narrow band is the defining feature of La Cadena. On a climb where the max barely exceeds the average, you can trust your legs to hold one gear and one effort for long stretches. Expect the road to hover near 4 to 5% for most of the 5.7 km, with the toughest section nudging toward that 5.88% ceiling before easing back. Because total ascent (231 m) tracks so closely to net gain (251 m), the climb is essentially monotonic: you go up, and you keep going up. There is no false flat to soft-pedal and no dip to coast through — just a consistent, uninterrupted rise to the 338 m top.

Pacing Notes

Consistency is the friend you want on La Cadena. With a max of only 5.88%, this is a climb where you can ride very close to your threshold without fear of a gradient spike blowing you apart. Settle in at a percentage of your FTP you can sustain for the full 5.7 km — for most riders that means the upper endurance to tempo range, dialing up as the summit approaches. If you are unsure what number to target, run your figure through the FTP estimator first, then hold a steady power rather than chasing surges. The 251 m of gain is best absorbed by an even effort from bottom to top.

Gearing

La Cadena does not demand extreme gearing, but a compact setup makes the 4.42% average feel comfortable. A 34×32 will be plenty for strong riders to spin the 5.7 km without grinding, keeping cadence high and legs fresh. If you prefer to stay seated and conserve for a longer day, or simply want extra insurance on the steepest 5.88% pitch, a 34×34 gives you that easy escape ratio. Either way, the goal is the same: cadence over torque. Spin the climb, save your matches, and let the modest gradient work in your favour.

Summary

La Cadena is an approachable, rhythmic category 3 climb — steady enough to pace precisely and never steep enough to scare you. It is a perfect climb for practising even efforts and dialing in your threshold rhythm.

Length: 5.7 km
Average gradient: 4.42%
Max gradient: 5.88%
Start: 87 m
Summit: 338 m
Net gain: 251 m
Total ascent: 231 m
Category: 3