Railroad Pass

What to Expect

Railroad Pass is a Category 2 climb in British Columbia, Canada. It covers 6.6 km with a net elevation gain of 501 m, though total ascent tallies 574 m — meaning the road is not a clean straight shot upward. Expect some undulation that will cost you extra energy on top of the headline numbers.

The average gradient of 7.54% is demanding but manageable for a trained rider. What sharpens the challenge is the maximum gradient of 16.97%, which is steep enough to force a significant gear shift if you haven't positioned yourself correctly beforehand.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 73 m gap between net gain (501 m) and total ascent (574 m) tells you there are rollers or false-flat recoveries embedded in the climb. This matters for pacing: the sections of relief can tempt you to push harder, but any effort burned on those sub-pitches will compound the difficulty when the gradient bites again.

The near-17% maximum ramp is the defining feature. A pitch at that angle demands either a compact chainring setup or a wide-range cassette — or both. On a standard 34/28 combination, that gradient will feel like a wall. Plan your gearing before the start, not at the base of the steep section.

Pacing Notes

• Set your ceiling early. With 6.6 km to cover at 7.54% average, this is long enough that going out too hard will cost you on the upper half. Target a sustainable effort — around 85–95% of your FTP for the duration, depending on fitness.
• Don't blow through the recoveries. The undulation that accounts for the extra 73 m of total ascent gives you brief chances to lower heart rate and clear legs. Resist the urge to attack these sections.
• Save a gear for the max ramp. The 16.97% pitch will arrive when your legs are already loaded. Have at least one gear in reserve before you hit it. Spinning through a steep ramp at high cadence is far more sustainable than grinding to a halt and having to restart.
• Cadence target: Aim for 70–80 rpm on the steepest sections rather than forcing a big gear. Muscular fatigue accumulates fast above 16% when you're mashing.

Gearing Recommendation

For most riders, a compact crankset (50/34) paired with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette gives adequate range. Heavier riders or those without a strong climbing base should lean toward a 1x setup with a 40T chainring and a wide-range 10-42 or 10-46 cassette. Don't underestimate 16.97% — it's the kind of gradient that punishes riders who arrive at it with no gears left.

If you want to benchmark your fitness against this climb, use the FTP Estimator to calculate a realistic power target before the attempt.