The Cedars

Overview

The Cedars is a category 2 climb that rewards steady effort over raw punch. Across 8.1 km it averages 6.72%, lifting you from a start elevation of 1376 m to a summit of 1923 m. That works out to 547 m of net elevation gain, with 571 m of total ascent once the small undulations along the way are counted — a difference of 24 m that tells you the road nudges downward in places rather than climbing cleanly the whole time.

At altitude, thinner air adds a quiet tax to every pedal stroke, and a climb that finishes above 1900 m will feel harder in the final third than the same gradient would near sea level. This is a sustained, honest ascent: long enough to matter, steep enough to hurt, but never so severe that it becomes a survival exercise.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is the 6.72% average, but averages hide the texture. With a maximum gradient of 9.92%, the steepest ramp sits more than three points above the mean — roughly 3.2% harder than the average pitch. Those are the sections that spike your heart rate and force a decision: dig in and hold your line, or spin patiently and let the ramp pass.

Because total ascent (571 m) exceeds net gain (547 m) by only 24 m, the climb has very little false-flat relief. There are no long descents to recover on. Expect the gradient to hover near that 6.72% figure for long stretches, with the pitch toward 9.92% arriving as distinct ramps rather than a single wall. Reading the road ahead — anticipating where the grade kicks up — is the difference between a smooth ascent and a series of surges that cook your legs early.

Pacing Notes

Treat The Cedars as a threshold effort. On a climb of this length and steadiness, your FTP is the number that matters most — pace the bulk of the 8.1 km just below or right at threshold, and save any surges for the ramps toward 9.92%. If you push too hard on the lower slopes, the altitude near the 1923 m summit will collect the debt with interest.

Not sure where your threshold sits? Use the FTP estimator to get a working number, then translate it into a target power or perceived effort you can hold for the full climb. On a 547 m ascent, consistency beats heroics every time.

Gearing

For an 8.1 km climb averaging 6.72% and touching 9.92%, give yourself room to keep the cadence up. A compact chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible default. A 34×32 will cover most riders comfortably on the sustained pitches, but if you weigh more, ride at endurance fitness, or simply want to protect your legs at altitude, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence honest on the steepest ramps and lets you sit and spin rather than grind out of the saddle for 547 m of climbing.

Summary

The Cedars is a proper category 2 test: sustained, high, and honest. With minimal respite between its start at 1376 m and its 1923 m summit, it rewards riders who pace to threshold and gear low enough to keep spinning.

Length: 8.1 km
Average gradient: 6.72%
Max gradient: 9.92%
Start: 1376 m
Summit: 1923 m
Net gain: 547 m
Total ascent: 571 m
Category: 2