les Porteres de Vela

Overview

Les Porteres de Vela is a long, patient Category 1 ascent that rewards riders who respect its length before they respect its steepness. Over 19.3 km the road lifts you from 400 m at the base to 1363 m at the summit, a net elevation gain of 963 m. The average gradient reads a moderate 4.98%, but that figure hides the climb's real character: this is a sustained effort measured in tens of minutes, not a short sprint you can muscle over. With a maximum pitch of 14.64% waiting somewhere along the way, the climb keeps a sting in its tail even where the averages look friendly.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to internalise is 4.98% averaged across the full 19.3 km. That is the gradient of a climb you can settle into rhythmically, but the maximum of 14.64% tells you the slope is far from uniform. When a climb averages under 5% yet spikes to nearly 15%, it means there are stretches noticeably shallower than the average to balance out the steep ramps. Expect the road to breathe: gentle drags where you can carry speed, punctuated by sharper kicks that force you out of the saddle or down through the cassette.

The total ascent of 973 m sits just above the 963 m net gain, a difference of only 10 m. That small gap confirms the profile is almost entirely uphill, with virtually no false-flat descents or dips to recover on. Once you start climbing, you keep climbing.

Pacing Notes

Because the effort is long, pacing discipline matters more than raw power. On a climb of this length, riding just above your sustainable ceiling early will cost you dearly near the summit. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to hold a percentage of it you can defend for the full duration rather than chasing a fast opening kilometre.

If you do not have a recent FTP figure, estimate one first with the FTP estimator, then work backwards to a target climbing power. Keep something in reserve for the 14.64% ramp — that is where a well-managed ride is either confirmed or unravelled. Treat the steep pitches as short surges above target, not new baselines, and let the shallower sections bring your average heart rate back down.

Gearing

For a 19.3 km climb averaging 4.98% with a 14.64% maximum, gearing should prioritise cadence preservation over the long haul. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default. A 34×32 bottom gear will carry most fit riders through the sustained sections comfortably, but the 14.64% wall is where it can feel marginal under fatigue. If you tire on long climbs or ride at a lower cadence, step up to a 34×34 to keep your legs spinning rather than grinding. The extra range costs nothing on the shallower stretches and buys real insurance for the steepest ramp.

Summary

Les Porteres de Vela is a genuine Category 1 test: long enough to demand pacing, steep enough in places to demand gearing, and relentless enough that the total ascent barely exceeds the net gain. Ride it patiently and the numbers work in your favour.

Length: 19.3 km
Average gradient: 4.98%
Max gradient: 14.64%
Start: 400 m
Summit: 1363 m
Net gain: 963 m
Total ascent: 973 m
Category: 1