Loveland Pass

Overview

Loveland Pass is a Category 2 climb in the United States, running 10.4 km from base to summit. Over that distance it delivers 631 m of net elevation gain, starting at 3,023 m and topping out at 3,654 m. Every metre of this climb sits at high altitude, and the summit elevation alone tells you thin air will be a factor long before the gradient does.

The number that reshapes how you approach the day is total ascent: 990 m against a net gain of just 631 m. That 359 m gap means the road gives back roughly 359 m of descent along the way, so you are not climbing one clean pitch but repeatedly regaining elevation you have already lost. Undulation like this inflates the real work relative to the net figure, and riders who pace only to the average gradient will find the effort heavier than the profile suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 6.09% average is a blend, not a constant. With a maximum gradient of 17.7%, the steep pitches are dramatically harder than the mean, and the descents baked into that 990 m of total ascent drag the average down and mask where the real work sits.

• Recovery and flatter sections where the road dips, contributing to the descent portion of total ascent
• Repeated short climbs as you regain the elevation lost on each dip
• The steepest ramp at 17.7%, well above double the average and the single hardest moment to prepare for

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, even-effort beats even-speed. Chasing a constant pace forces surges on every one of those 17.7% ramps and wasted energy soft-pedalling the descents. Instead, hold a steady sustainable power output through the climbs and let your speed rise freely on the downhills, where pushing watts returns little.

Know your ceiling before you start. Use the FTP estimator to set a target, then ride the steep pitches slightly above it and the flatter regains slightly below, keeping your average effort honest across all 10.4 km. At this altitude, your sustainable number will sit lower than at sea level, so pace conservatively early.

Gearing

The 17.7% maximum gradient dictates your setup. Run a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette so you can keep cadence up on the steepest ramp rather than grinding. A 34×32 is the minimum here, and a 34×34 gives you welcome margin, especially with high-altitude fatigue compounding every pitch. Check your chainrings and cassette before the ride, not at the base of the climb.

Summary

• Length: 10.4 km
• Average gradient: 6.09%
• Maximum gradient: 17.7%
• Net elevation gain: 631 m
• Total ascent: 990 m
• Category: 2

Loveland Pass rewards riders who respect its undulation and altitude. Pace to effort, gear for the 17.7% pitch, and the 631 m of net gain will come without blowing up before the 3,654 m summit.