Howison's Poort

Howison's Poort cycling climb profile

Howison's Poort is a short, controlled South African climb rather than a sustained threshold test. At 4.6 km with an average gradient of 3.3%, it asks more for patience and clean pacing than pure climbing power. The summit sits at 378 m after starting at 226 m, giving 152 m of net elevation gain across the ascent.

That profile tells you the main story: this is not steep enough to force a survival rhythm, but it is long enough that going too hard early can still cost time. The maximum gradient is 5.82%, so the climb has sharper moments, but the headline average suggests those sections are not prolonged enough to define the entire effort.

How the gradient unfolds

The climb's average of 3.3% means momentum matters. On gradients like this, speed stays relatively high, so the penalty for poor pacing is usually aerodynamic and metabolic rather than simply muscular. If the road pitches toward the maximum gradient of 5.82%, avoid reacting with a full surge unless the effort is tactical. A short rise at that grade is better handled by holding pressure and letting cadence dip slightly, then rebuilding speed as the gradient eases.

The supplied profile lists total ascent at 134 m, while the start and summit elevations imply 152 m of net elevation gain. For riding the climb, the practical takeaway is still clear: Howison's Poort is a compact category 4 ascent with modest average steepness and limited vertical gain.

Pacing strategy

Treat Howison's Poort as a steady aerobic to tempo climb for most riders. The risk is not the gradient itself, but underestimating the length because the opening feels manageable. A sensible approach is to ride the first half just under the effort you think you can sustain, then lift gradually once the summit is within reach.

If using power, this is the kind of climb where riding by feel alone can lead to repeated small accelerations. Keep the effort smooth around your target and avoid chasing every gradient change. For riders building around /glossary/ftp, it is a useful climb for practicing controlled pressure without the forced low-cadence demands of steeper terrain.

Gearing notes

Standard road gearing should be enough for most trained riders because the average gradient is moderate and the maximum gradient stays below 6%. Still, choose a gear that lets you keep cadence stable through the steeper ramps rather than grinding early. The fastest ride here will usually come from conserving momentum, limiting unnecessary shifts, and saving any real acceleration for the final part of the climb.