Col de la Ruchère

Overview

Col de la Ruchère is an Hors Catégorie ascent in France, running 11.6 km from a start elevation of 415 m to a summit at 1443 m. The net elevation gain is 1028 m, and at an average gradient of 8.84% it sits firmly in the top tier of paved climbs. This is not a climb you spin over — it demands sustained output from the base to the top.

The number that matters most, though, is the gap between net gain and total ascent. You climb 1028 m net, but the road actually gains 1576 m of vertical over its length. That 548 m difference is descent and re-climbing baked into the profile — the road drops and claws back repeatedly. Practically, it means your legs pay for more than the summit elevation suggests, and any downhill respite is followed by the cost of regaining the height you just gave away.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An 8.84% average on an undulating climb is misleading: it blends recovery dips with brutally steep ramps. Because 548 m of the total ascent comes from re-climbing, the sustained sections are steeper than the headline figure, offset by the flatter or descending stretches that pull the average down.

• Short recovery or descending sections where you can shift up and breathe
• Repeated punchy re-climbs that regain lost height quickly
• Steep sustained ramps well above the 8.84% average, where the real work happens
• Little rhythm — expect the gradient to change under you constantly

Pacing Notes

On a smooth climb you can hold even speed. Here you should not. The undulation means even-speed pacing forces huge power spikes on the steep ramps and wasteful coasting on the dips. Instead, pace to even effort: hold a steady sustainable power output and let your speed rise and fall with the terrain.

Let the gradient dictate the gear, not the clock. Push a touch below threshold on the flatter sections rather than hammering them, and accept that you will slow on the steep pitches without redlining. Know your ceiling before you start — run the numbers through the FTP estimator so you have a firm power target rather than guessing on the road.

Gearing

At 8.84% average with steeper sustained ramps, gear conservatively. A compact (50/34) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the minimum sensible setup. Aim for a 34×32 or 34×34 low gear so you can keep cadence up on the steepest sections instead of grinding. On a climb this long, spinning a low gear preserves your legs far better than muscling a bigger one. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride — swapping a cassette at the trailhead is not an option.

Summary

• Length: 11.6 km
• Average gradient: 8.84%
• Net elevation gain: 1028 m
• Total ascent: 1576 m
• Category: HC

Col de la Ruchère is a demanding HC climb where the extra 548 m of hidden re-climbing, not the summit height, defines the effort. Pace to even effort, gear low, and respect the undulation.