Bakenshoogte

Bakenshoogte cycling climb profile

Bakenshoogte is a category 4 climb that asks for restraint more than brute force. On paper, 5.3 km at an average gradient of 3.91% looks manageable, and for a well-paced rider it should be. The trap is that the average hides enough variation to matter: the maximum gradient reaches 8.76%, which is more than double the climb's overall slope.

That gap between average and maximum is the key to reading the climb. Bakenshoogte is not a sustained wall, but it is also not a pure false flat. The profile suggests a climb where the easier gradients keep the average under control, while short steeper sections force a decision: hold power steady and let speed drop, or surge and pay for it later.

How the gradient rides

The climb starts at 1006 m and tops out at 1214 m, with 208 m of net elevation gain. Across 5.3 km, that makes Bakenshoogte more of a rhythm climb than a survival climb. The main workload comes from keeping pressure on the pedals for long enough, not from grinding through one extended steep ramp.

The 3.91% average means momentum matters. If the road is exposed or the pace is high, drafting and smooth turns can make a meaningful difference. But the 8.76% maximum gradient changes the pacing equation. Any rider who treats the whole climb like a steady sub-4% drag may get caught out when the gradient kicks up.

Pacing and gearing

The best approach is to ride the opening conservatively, especially if Bakenshoogte comes after hard riding. Stay just under your sustainable climbing effort and avoid chasing speed when the road steepens. On the ramps near the maximum gradient, keep the effort controlled rather than trying to maintain the same pace. Power discipline matters more than speed discipline here.

For gearing, do not choose solely for the average gradient. A setup that feels comfortable at 3.91% can still become awkward when the road touches 8.76%. You want a low enough gear to keep cadence from collapsing on the steeper pitches, particularly if you are climbing near /glossary/ftp or riding this as part of a longer route.

Tactical read

In a group, Bakenshoogte is selective only if the pace is already high or if stronger riders use the steeper sections to force gaps. The average gradient gives heavier or more powerful riders a way to stay involved, while the sharper ramps give climbers a clear place to lift the effort. The smart ride is patient: save the acceleration for the steepest parts, then keep pressure over the top rather than spending the match too early.