Veliki Alan

Overview

Veliki Alan is a genuine sea-to-sky ascent. It starts essentially at the waterline — a start elevation of -2 m — and grinds all the way up to a summit of 1410 m. That is a net elevation gain of 1412 m spread across a full 30.4 km, one of the longer sustained efforts you will find anywhere. The average gradient of 4.65% sounds forgiving on paper, and in isolation it is, but the sheer distance is what defines this climb. At 30.4 km you are looking at well over an hour of continuous climbing for most riders, and the category 1 rating reflects that combination of length and vertical: hard, but one rung below the hors catégorie monsters.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story here is duration, not brutality. With a total ascent of 1500 m across 30.4 km, the climb averages 4.65%, meaning most of the road sits in a steady, rhythmic tempo range rather than a lung-busting wall. But the 4.65% average hides real variation. The max gradient of 11.96% tells you there are pitches that more than double the average, and those steeper ramps punctuate an otherwise metronomic drag. Because the summit is at 1410 m from a start of -2 m, expect the character of the road to shift as you gain height — the lower sea-level slopes give way to progressively thinner air the closer you creep to that 1410 m ceiling. There are no true flats to hide in; even the gentler sections keep you pedaling under load.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing discipline decides everything. Do not chase the early kilometers. The 11.96% ramps will punish anyone who buries themselves before the halfway mark. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to sit just below threshold on the sustained 4.65% sections, spending your matches only on the steep pitches near 11.96%. If you do not know your threshold number, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go — a good FTP figure turns a 30.4 km climb from guesswork into a controlled effort. Fuel early and often; 1412 m of net gain is a long time to be producing power, and bonking on the upper slopes near 1410 m is a miserable, slow way to finish.

Gearing

Length plus the 11.96% ramps make a generous cassette worth every gram. For most amateurs a compact 34-tooth inner ring is the sensible foundation. Pair a 34×32 if you are a strong climber who wants to keep a purposeful cadence on the 4.65% tempo stretches, but if you value your knees over 30.4 km — or you tire on the steeper 11.96% pitches — a 34×34 gives you that extra escape gear to spin the summit into reach. On a climb defined by duration, having one gear in reserve is never a mistake.

Summary

Veliki Alan rewards patience: a sea-level start, a long 4.65% rhythm, occasional 11.96% bites, and a 1410 m summit that only yields to riders who paced the first half honestly. Bring your climbing legs and your fueling plan.

Length: 30.4 km
Average gradient: 4.65%
Max gradient: 11.96%
Start: -2 m
Summit: 1410 m
Net gain: 1412 m
Total ascent: 1500 m
Category: 1