Sedlo u Petrových kamenů

Sedlo u Petrových kamenů cycling climb profile

Sedlo u Petrových kamenů is a long, controlled climbing effort rather than a short test of explosiveness. The climb runs for 19.5 km at an average gradient of 4.91%, starting at 415 m and topping out at 1,371 m. That makes it a Category 1 climb in the supplied profile, and the classification makes sense: the difficulty is less about one extreme wall and more about the amount of time spent climbing.

The key number is the relationship between the average gradient and the maximum gradient. An average of 4.91% over this distance is steady enough that strong riders can settle into rhythm, but the listed maximum of 10.9% tells you not to treat it as a pure tempo drag. Somewhere on the way to the summit, the road steepens sharply enough to punish riders who have been riding slightly above threshold too early.

How the gradient should feel

From the bottom, the opening demand is simple: do not let the modest average gradient trick you into riding it like a false flat. With 956 m of net elevation gain between start and summit, the climb keeps taking small withdrawals from the legs. Even if the road often feels manageable, the duration means overpacing shows up late.

Because the profile gives a maximum gradient of 10.9% but an average below 5%, the practical read is that the climb likely alternates between steadier sections and sharper ramps. Those ramps matter tactically. They are where cadence can drop, power can spike, and the cost of poor gearing becomes obvious. The fastest sustainable ride is not the one that attacks every steep pitch, but the one that keeps those spikes contained.

Pacing and gearing notes

Pace this climb from the top down. If riding by power, anchor the effort around sustainable climbing intensity rather than chasing speed on the easier gradients. Riders who know their /glossary/ftp should resist going deep on the first harder section, because the climb is long enough for early surges to compound.

A compact or sub-compact setup with a generous cassette is the safer choice for most riders. The 10.9% maximum gradient is not extreme in isolation, but after sustained climbing it can force low-cadence torque if the gearing is too tight. If cadence starts to fall on the steepest pitches, shift early and protect the legs rather than trying to muscle through.

The best strategy is patient: ride the lower slopes with restraint, keep the steep ramps under control, and aim to reach the final portion still able to lift the effort. On a climb of 19.5 km, discipline is not conservative. It is usually the fastest way to the summit.