Cayoosh Pass

Overview

Cayoosh Pass is a Category 2 road climb in British Columbia, Canada. At 6.3 km long with an average gradient of 7.05% and a net elevation gain of 444 m, it sits firmly in the territory that demands respect without being a day-ender on its own — provided you pace it correctly. The total ascent of 471 m (slightly higher than the net gain) signals that the road isn't entirely one-directional; there are minor undulations baked into the profile that can catch riders off guard if they treat it as a clean, unbroken ramp.

Gradient Profile

The average of 7.05% is honest but not the whole story. A maximum gradient of 13.75% means there is at least one section that roughly doubles the mean pitch. On a climb of this length, that kind of spike — wherever it falls — is where races are won or lost and where solo efforts crack.

• Lower slopes: Coming off a start elevation of 839 m, the early kilometres tend to set the tempo. Use this section to settle breathing and cadence before the road steepens.
• Mid-climb: The sustained middle portion around or above the 7% average is where accumulated fatigue starts to register. Riders who pushed the opening kilometres will feel it here.
• Upper ramps: The 13.75% maximum gradient is likely concentrated near the upper half. Expect at least one short, steep punch where maintaining rhythm becomes a deliberate task rather than an automatic one.

Pacing Notes

A 7% average over 6.3 km is long enough that negative splitting — riding the second half harder than the first — is a realistic and advisable strategy. Starting conservatively is not timidity; it's math.

Target a power output you can sustain for the full duration. If you're unsure of your threshold, use the FTP estimator before committing to a target wattage. For context on how to structure effort across a climb like this, see the FTP glossary entry.

Key pacing principles for Cayoosh Pass:

• Don't sprint the flats or shallow sections. Any gradient relief mid-climb is an opportunity to recover, not accelerate.
• Anticipate the steep ramp. When the road approaches or exceeds 13%, shift down before cadence drops below a sustainable level. Grinding a big gear through 13.75% is a reliable way to blow up before the summit.
• Manage the summit push. The final approach to 1,283 m is where the effort should peak, not where it should be rationed.

Gearing Recommendations

With a maximum gradient of 13.75%, compact or sub-compact gearing is strongly advisable for most riders. A 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 28- or 32-tooth cassette sprocket gives adequate mechanical advantage through the steep sections without forcing you to spin out on shallower pitches earlier in the climb.

Riders on standard double (53/39) setups should ensure their cassette extends to at least 28 teeth. An 11-25 or 11-28 cassette that's appropriate for flatter terrain will feel punishing when the gradient spikes toward 14%.

Character Summary

Cayoosh Pass is a genuine Category 2 effort — not an easy day, not a sufferfest. The combination of a consistent 7% average and a 13.75% maximum gradient rewards riders who can modulate effort intelligently. If you're building toward longer alpine days in the Coast or Cascade ranges, this climb is a useful benchmark for pacing discipline and gearing choices under sustained load.