Mahoosuc Notch cycling climb profile
Mahoosuc Notch is a Category 3 climb in the US that rewards control more than aggression. On paper, the numbers point to a manageable but meaningful ascent: 10.7 km in length, 399 m of net elevation gain, starting at 290 m and topping out at 689 m. The average gradient is 3.73 percent, with the steepest pitch reaching 7.12 percent.
That combination matters. A 3.73 percent average over 10.7 km is not a wall, but it is long enough that poor pacing will accumulate quickly. The max gradient of 7.12 percent also tells you the climb is not completely benign. There are sections where the road can ask for a real gear change and a short lift in torque, even if the overall profile sits in a steady endurance-climb range.
How the gradient unfolds
With only the full-climb statistics available, the safest reading is that Mahoosuc Notch is defined by sustained upward pressure rather than one decisive steep sector. The climb gains from 290 m to 689 m across 10.7 km, so the work is spread across the whole ascent instead of being concentrated into a short, violent ramp.
The key detail is the gap between the average gradient and the maximum gradient. The climb averages 3.73 percent but reaches 7.12 percent, which suggests a profile where the main effort is steady, with sharper ramps that can briefly push riders above their chosen rhythm. Those ramps are not extreme, but they are steep enough to expose anyone riding too close to threshold too early.
Pacing notes
Treat Mahoosuc Notch as a tempo climb with discipline. The opening should feel deliberately under control, because the average gradient can make the climb seem easier than it is. Over 10.7 km, even a modest overreach early can leave you stuck grinding through the upper half.
A good approach is to settle just below your sustainable climbing effort, then let the 7.12 percent pitches come to you rather than attacking them. If you ride with power, anchor the effort around a controlled climbing target relative to /glossary/ftp, but allow brief rises on the steeper moments instead of forcing a perfectly flat number. If you ride by feel, keep breathing stable and avoid the temptation to chase speed changes when the grade fluctuates.
Gearing and ride feel
Gear for cadence preservation, not just the average gradient. A climb averaging 3.73 percent might look like big-ring terrain for a strong rider, but the 7.12 percent maximum grade means you want enough range to stay seated and smooth when the road tightens.
The best setup is one that lets you ride the bulk of the climb economically, then shift down cleanly for the steeper ramps without spiking effort. If you are choosing between a heroic gear and an easier climbing option, the easier option is the smarter one here. The climb is long enough for efficiency to matter, and the profile is moderate enough that the fastest ride will usually come from steadiness, not repeated surges.