Stribing

Overview

Stribing is a Category 1 climb in Austria, running 9.5 km from a start elevation of 633 m to a summit at 1,305 m. On paper it delivers 672 m of net elevation gain at an average gradient of 7.06%, which places it firmly in the sustained-effort bracket rather than the flat-out sprint category. It is long enough to demand pacing discipline and steep enough to punish anyone who goes out too hard.

The number that matters most, though, is the gap between net gain and total ascent. You climb 672 m in net terms, but the total ascent is 909 m — meaning roughly 237 m of that height is given back and re-earned along the way. This climb undulates. You will lose altitude on descents and false flats, then have to claw it back, which makes the effort spikier and less rhythmic than the average gradient suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 7.06% average is a blend, not a constant. With a maximum gradient of 33.33%, there is at least one wall here that will overwhelm any attempt to hold a steady tempo. The undulation profile means the road repeatedly kicks up and eases off rather than climbing at one honest angle.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the road dips or levels — use these to spin and eat, not to attack
• Repeated short climbs that force you to re-accelerate after each descent
• The steepest ramp near 33.33%, where you will be out of the saddle and grinding regardless of pacing plan

Pacing Notes

On a climb this lumpy, even-speed pacing is a trap — holding a fixed pace over the steep ramps would blow you apart. Aim instead for even effort, anchored to your sustainable power output. Let your speed rise on the gentler grades and accept that it will crater on the steep pitches; the goal is a flat power line, not a flat speedometer.

Because you re-climb roughly 237 m of the total ascent, budget for those repeated surges. If you do not know your ceiling, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then set a target you can defend for the full 9.5 km.

Gearing

The 33.33% maximum gradient governs your setup entirely. That is far beyond what a standard road double comfortably handles. Fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — 34×32 or 34×34 as a minimum, and go easier still if you have it.

Check your drivetrain before the ride, not at the base of the steepest ramp. Confirm the chain shifts cleanly into the largest sprocket under load; running out of gears on a 33% wall means walking.

Summary

• Length: 9.5 km
• Average gradient: 7.06%
• Maximum gradient: 33.33%
• Net elevation gain: 672 m
• Total ascent: 909 m
• Category: 1

Stribing rewards riders who pace to effort and gear for the worst ramp rather than the average. Respect the undulation, protect your legs on the steep pitches, and the summit at 1,305 m is well within reach.