Riedbergpass

Overview

Riedbergpass is a Category 2 climb in Germany, running 8.6 km from a valley start at 861 m to a summit at 1386 m. Over that distance it delivers 525 m of net elevation gain at an average gradient of 6.1%. On paper that is a moderate mountain climb: long enough to demand pacing, but short enough to attack if you know the profile.

The average, however, undersells the workload. The total ascent is 666 m, not the 525 m of net gain — a 141 m gap. That means the road gives back roughly 141 m of climbing to descents and dips along the way, then makes you re-earn it. Undulation like this fragments your rhythm: every recovery pitch is followed by a fresh acceleration, and those repeated efforts cost more than a single steady grind of the same average would.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 6.1% average is a poor guide to what your legs will feel here. The 141 m of extra ascent has to come from somewhere, which means real climbing is stacked into the steep sections while flatter and downhill stretches drag the average down. The defining feature is the maximum pitch of 21.04% — brutal, out-of-the-saddle terrain that arrives well above threshold effort.

• Flatter or false-flat recovery sections that lull you before the next ramp
• Repeated short climbs separated by dips, thanks to the undulating profile
• The steepest ramp at 21.04%, where gearing and traction matter more than fitness

Pacing Notes

Forget even speed on Riedbergpass — the undulation makes it impossible. Chasing a constant pace forces you to over-power the steep 21% sections and coast the flats, spiking your effort exactly where it hurts most. Instead, pace to even effort: hold a steady output relative to your sustainable power output, letting speed rise on shallow ground and fall on the ramps. Accept slow, controlled progress through the steepest pitches rather than blowing up to protect a number. If you do not know your threshold yet, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you ride, so you have a ceiling to pace against.

Gearing

The 21.04% maximum dictates your setup here — this is not a climb for a standard chainset. Fit a compact (34-tooth inner) or sub-compact chainring, and pair it with a wide-range cassette: 34×32 as a minimum, 34×34 if you have the mech capacity. That bottom gear keeps your cadence turning through the steep ramp instead of forcing a grinding, knee-loading crawl. Check your chainring and cassette before the ride — discovering you are undergeared halfway up a 21% pitch is not a mistake you can fix on the road.

Summary

• Length: 8.6 km
• Average gradient: 6.1%
• Maximum gradient: 21.04%
• Net elevation gain: 525 m
• Total ascent: 666 m
• Category: 2

Riedbergpass rewards riders who respect its profile rather than its average. Pace to effort, gear for the 21% ramp, and let the undulation work with you instead of against you.