Regetovská voda

Overview

Regetovská voda is a steady, honest category 3 climb that rewards riders who settle into a rhythm early. Over 5.3 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 374 m to a summit at 642 m, a net gain of 268 m. The average gradient sits at a manageable 5.03%, which puts it firmly in the range where most riders can hold tempo rather than fight for survival. It never explodes into a wall, but it never truly relents either, and the 8.25% maximum pitch is enough to sting if you have already spent your matches.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. With 5.3 km of road and only 268 m of net elevation to gain, the climb averages close to its 5.03% figure for long stretches rather than lurching between flat and steep. That said, the gap between the 5.03% average and the 8.25% maximum tells you the road is not perfectly uniform: expect the slope to ease back below average on some sections and then firm up toward that steeper 8.25% pitch elsewhere. The total ascent of 251 m sitting just below the 268 m net gain confirms there is very little downhill or false-flat relief — almost every metre you climb, you keep. Treat the harder ramps as brief interruptions to an otherwise sustainable grade, and do not let the change in pitch panic you into over-reacting.

Pacing Notes

This is a climb best measured against your sustainable power rather than raw ambition. Because the average holds near 5.03%, a well-judged effort just under threshold will carry you the full 5.3 km without cracking. Anchor your pacing to your FTP: aim to ride the shallower sections at or slightly below it, then allow a modest surge over the 8.25% pitch before backing off again. Riders who empty themselves on the steeper ramp and then sag through the rest almost always finish slower than those who hold an even effort throughout.

If you are not sure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your attack. Knowing your true ceiling turns a guessing game into a repeatable, controlled climb.

Gearing

For a 5.3 km climb at 5.03% average with a maximum of 8.25%, most riders will be comfortable on a compact setup. A 34×32 gives you enough spin to sit and turn a high cadence across the bulk of the ascent, and it is plenty for the average grade. If you tend to grind, prefer to stay seated, or expect to arrive with tired legs, a 34×34 buys extra insurance for the 8.25% section and keeps your cadence from collapsing. Neither is overkill on a category 3 effort — err toward the 34×34 if in doubt, since a spare gear you never use costs nothing.

Summary

Regetovská voda is a rhythm climb: consistent, fair, and ideal for practising even-paced efforts. Judge it by your threshold, keep something back for the steepest ramp, and let the steady grade do the rest.

Length: 5.3 km
Average gradient: 5.03%
Max gradient: 8.25%
Start: 374 m
Summit: 642 m
Net gain: 268 m
Total ascent: 251 m
Category: 3