Colle Braida

Overview

Colle Braida is a Category 2 climb in Italy that runs for 14.5 km from a start elevation of 340 m to a summit at 1052 m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 712 m at an average gradient of 4.9%, which places it firmly in the long-but-manageable bracket rather than the leg-breaking short-and-savage one.

The average, though, undersells the workload. The total ascent on the road is 934 m, well above the 712 m net gain. That 222 m difference is climbing you do and then give back to descents and false flats along the way. In practical terms, you pay for altitude you do not keep, so the effort is higher than a clean 4.9% grind and your rhythm gets interrupted rather than settling into one steady beat.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 4.9% average on a 934 m total ascent means the road is far from uniform. Expect stretches that sit below the average, punctuated by ramps that push well past it toward the steepest recorded pitch of 16.8%.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the gradient eases and you can spin, tied to the 222 m of undulation
• Repeated short climbs that reset your legs before each new effort
• A steepest ramp reaching 16.8%, sharp enough to force you out of the saddle or into your lowest gear

Pacing Notes

Because Colle Braida undulates, even-effort pacing beats even-speed pacing. Hold a steady, sustainable power output through the ramps and let your speed rise on the flatter recovery sections instead of hammering to keep a constant pace. Chasing a fixed speed on the 16.8% pitches will spike your effort and cost you on the 14.5 km that remain. If you do not know your ceiling, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then anchor the whole climb a notch below it so the steep ramps do not tip you into the red.

Gearing

The 16.8% maximum gradient governs your setup. On a 14.5 km climb with pitches that steep, a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette such as 34×32 or 34×34 gives you the low gear needed to keep cadence without grinding to a crawl. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride, and confirm your derailleur handles the largest sprocket cleanly rather than discovering the limit on the first steep ramp.

Summary

• Length: 14.5 km
• Average gradient: 4.9%
• Maximum gradient: 16.8%
• Net elevation gain: 712 m
• Total ascent: 934 m
• Category: 2

Colle Braida rewards riders who pace by effort and gear for the steepest pitch, not the average. Respect the 222 m of undulation baked into that 934 m total ascent, and the 14.5 km to the 1052 m summit becomes a climb you ride rather than survive.