Simpson Pass

Simpson Pass cycling climb profile

Simpson Pass is a Category 1 climb that asks for patience more than aggression. The headline numbers are enough to define the ride: 12.1 km in length, an average gradient of 7.33 percent, and 889 m of net elevation gain from a start elevation of 1306 m to a summit elevation of 2195 m.

That combination makes the climb fundamentally aerobic, but not comfortable. A 7.33 percent average over this distance means there is very little room to fake fitness. The effort will sit in that awkward space where riding slightly too hard early does not feel costly at first, but the bill arrives well before the summit.

How the gradient unfolds

From bottom to top, Simpson Pass climbs from 1306 m to 2195 m across 12.1 km. Without intermediate sector data, the safest read is to treat it as a sustained pass rather than a climb with a known recovery structure. The average gradient is already demanding, and the listed maximum gradient of 17.7 percent tells you the road includes short sections that are far steeper than the overall profile suggests.

That matters tactically. A climb averaging 7.33 percent can be ridden near threshold by a well-paced rider, but ramps approaching 17.7 percent force a different cost. If you surge over those sections in too large a gear, the effort shifts from controlled climbing into repeated anaerobic spikes. On a climb this long, those spikes are usually what separate a smooth summit ride from a fading final third.

Pacing and gearing notes

Start under control. The first objective is not to match the average gradient with bravado, but to settle into an effort you can repeat for the full 12.1 km. If you ride by power, anchor the early climb below your /glossary/ftp ceiling and leave space for the steepest ramps. If you ride by feel, the right intensity should feel firm but not urgent at the base.

Gearing should be chosen for the maximum gradient, not the average. The 7.33 percent average is the climb's identity, but the 17.7 percent maximum is what determines whether you can stay seated, keep traction, and avoid grinding. Use a low enough climbing gear that the steepest pitches do not force you into a strength effort before the summit.

The best strategy is conservative through the lower part, disciplined through the middle, and only then progressive near the top. With 889 m of net elevation gain, Simpson Pass rewards riders who keep the effort repeatable and punish those who treat the early kilometres as free speed.