Schoemans Kloof

Schoemans Kloof cycling climb profile

Schoemans Kloof is a compact category 3 climb: 5 km long, averaging 5.2%, rising from 981 m to 1243 m for a net elevation gain of 262 m. On paper, that makes it more of a sustained aerobic effort than a pure survival climb, but the listed maximum gradient of 8.96% is the detail that should shape how you ride it.

A climb averaging just over 5% can feel deceptively manageable in the opening phase. The danger is treating it like a rolling tempo section and letting power drift too high before the steeper ramps arrive. Because the maximum gradient sits just under 9%, Schoemans Kloof has enough bite to punish riders who arrive at those sections already over threshold.

How the gradient rides

The average gradient tells you this is not relentlessly steep from bottom to summit. Over 5 km, 5.2% points to a climb where rhythm matters more than brute force. The road gains height steadily enough that there is little reason to surge unless you are racing or responding to a move.

The key feature is the contrast between the overall average and the maximum gradient. A climb with a 5.2% average and ramps up to 8.96% is likely to feel uneven in effort even when the distance is short. The easier sections invite a bigger gear, but the better strategy is to keep pressure controlled and save cadence for the steeper parts.

Pacing strategy

Ride the first half slightly under control rather than chasing a target speed. Speed will fluctuate with gradient, and on a climb like this, power or perceived exertion is a better guide than pace. If using /glossary/ftp, the practical approach is to settle below your limit early, then lift only once the summit is clearly within reach.

For a steady effort, aim for a level you could hold beyond the full 5 km. That buffer matters because the near-9% maximum gradient will feel much harder if you have been riding the 5.2% average as though it were the whole story.

Gearing notes

A compact or climbing-friendly setup is sensible, not because Schoemans Kloof is extreme, but because the steeper ramps are just long or sharp enough to disrupt cadence. Choose a gear that lets you stay seated through gradients approaching 8.96% without grinding.

If you are racing it, avoid big accelerations at the base. The climb is short enough to reward commitment, but long enough that early overpacing will show before the top. The cleanest ride is a controlled build: smooth lower section, protected cadence through the steepest gradient, then a final lift once the summit at 1243 m is in range.