Kingman Pass

Kingman Pass cycling climb profile

Kingman Pass is a long, controlled-effort climb rather than a brute-force wall. The profile runs for 13.7 km, gains 555 m from start to summit, and averages 4.05%, which puts it in the category 2 range without asking for constant low-speed grinding.

The climb starts at 1,634 m and tops out at 2,189 m. That elevation context matters because the average gradient alone can undersell the load. A 4.05% climb over this length is not steep enough to force repeated standing accelerations, but it is long enough that poor pacing becomes expensive. Treat it as a sustained aerobic climb where small over-threshold efforts add up.

How the gradient unfolds

With a maximum gradient of 7.19%, the key point is that Kingman Pass does not appear to be defined by extreme ramps. The difference between the average and maximum gradient suggests a climb that stays mostly manageable, with harder sections that are steep enough to disrupt rhythm but not so steep that they should dictate the whole ride.

That makes the tactical problem simple: avoid reacting to every change in pitch. On a climb like this, the fastest ride usually comes from keeping pressure consistent, allowing speed to rise and fall with the road rather than chasing a fixed pace. If the gradient lifts toward the steeper end of the profile, let cadence fall slightly or shift earlier. If it relaxes, keep torque smooth instead of over-accelerating.

Pacing and gearing notes

For riders using power, Kingman Pass is well suited to a steady effort around sustainable climbing intensity rather than repeated spikes above /glossary/ftp. The length gives enough time for early enthusiasm to turn into late fatigue, so the opening section should feel almost too controlled.

Practical approach:

• Start conservatively and settle before committing to a harder rhythm.
• Keep one easier gear available for the steeper pitches up to 7.19%.
• Stay seated when possible to preserve traction and keep effort even.
• Avoid big surges after flatter-feeling sections; the climb is long enough for those costs to return near the summit.

Kingman Pass is ultimately a pacing climb. Its difficulty comes less from any single gradient figure and more from the combination of 13.7 km of climbing, 555 m of elevation gain, and a summit at 2,189 m. Ride it with patience, gear for the steepest listed pitch, and let consistency do the work.