Ručičky

Overview

Ručičky is a category 2 climb that asks a genuine question of your legs. Over 7.6 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 467 m to a summit at 972 m — a net gain of 505 m at an average gradient of 6.68%. That average sounds honest and steady, but the 18.04% maximum gradient tells you the real story: this is not a metronomic climb you can settle into and forget. It has teeth, and it bares them without much warning.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is the 6.68% average, but averages flatten out the drama. With a max pitch of 18.04% — nearly three times the mean — the climb clearly stacks its difficulty into short, sharp ramps rather than spreading it evenly. Expect stretches that sit close to the average, interrupted by kickers that spike well into the teens. The gap between the 505 m net elevation gain and the 479 m of total ascent is small, which tells you the road climbs almost relentlessly upward with little relief or false-flat recovery. There is not much rolling terrain here to hide behind; when the gradient eases, it is only to gather itself for the next ramp.

Pacing Notes

Ramps this steep are where riders blow up, so pace to the average rather than the spikes. On the 18.04% sections your power will surge whether you like it or not — the trick is not to compound that by attacking them. Hold something in reserve for the second half, since 7.6 km of sustained climbing rewards patience over ego.

Anchor your effort to your FTP. On a climb of this length, most riders can hold just below threshold for the sustained portions and briefly dip above it on the steep ramps without cracking. If you are unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator first and set a realistic ceiling before you start.

Gearing

The 18.04% max is the deciding factor for your cassette. On a climb averaging 6.68% with ramps that steep, you want a compact chainring and a wide-range cassette so you can keep your cadence up instead of grinding to a standstill. A 34×32 is the sensible baseline for strong climbers who can turn a big gear under load. If you are carrying fatigue, riding in the heat, or simply prefer to spin, a 34×34 gives you that extra rescue gear for the steepest pitches — and on a category 2 climb with an 18% wall, no one will judge you for having it. Choose the easier ratio if in doubt; a gear you never use costs nothing, while a gear you needed and lacked can end your climb.

Summary

Ručičky packs 505 m of vertical into 7.6 km, and the 18.04% max ensures the effort is never routine. Respect the ramps, pace to your threshold, and gear low enough to keep spinning.

Length: 7.6 km
Average gradient: 6.68%
Max gradient: 18.04%
Start: 467 m
Summit: 972 m
Net gain: 505 m
Total ascent: 479 m
Category: 2