Shouqia

Overview

Shouqia is a category 2 ascent that stretches 8.8 km from a low start at 22 m to a summit of 460 m. Over that distance you gain 438 m net, with a total of 422 m of measured climbing packed into the effort. The headline average of 4.96% describes a climb that is honest and sustained rather than savage: long enough to matter, steady enough to settle into a rhythm. At almost nine kilometres, it is the kind of ascent where pacing decisions made in the first two kilometres echo all the way to the top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining trait of Shouqia is the gap between its average and its maximum. The mean of 4.96% is comfortably tempo territory, but the steepest ramp bites at 8.86% — nearly double the average. That tells you the climb is not uniform. Expect stretches that sit below the average, where the road drifts up gently, offset by sharper pitches that push toward that 8.86% peak. The fact that net gain (438 m) sits slightly above the total ascent figure of 422 m confirms the road climbs almost continuously, with little in the way of false flats or descents to break the flow. Treat the mellow sections as recovery and the steep ramps as the real test.

Pacing Notes

Because Shouqia rewards consistency, pace it by effort rather than speed. Aim to hold a steady level just below your threshold on the shallower kilometres, then allow your power to rise on the ramps toward 8.86% without redlining. A useful anchor is your FTP: keeping your sustained sections around 85–90% of that figure leaves headroom for the steep pitches. If you are not sure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before your next attempt so your targets reflect reality rather than guesswork. On an 8.8 km climb, going out too hard costs far more time than starting conservatively.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.96% but spiking to 8.86%, most riders will want a compact setup with room to spin. A 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 combination handles the bulk of the climb comfortably and gives you a manageable cadence through the tempo sections. For the steepest ramps near 8.86%, or if you are carrying fatigue, dropping to 34×34 buys you extra low-end torque and keeps your cadence from collapsing. Erring toward the easier 34×34 costs almost nothing and protects your legs across the full 8.8 km.

Summary

Shouqia is a rhythm climb: 8.8 km of steady work with enough steepness to demand respect and enough consistency to reward disciplined pacing. Settle in early, save something for the 8.86% ramps, and let the numbers guide you to the 460 m summit.

Length: 8.8 km
Average gradient: 4.96%
Max gradient: 8.86%
Start: 22 m
Summit: 460 m
Net gain: 438 m
Total ascent: 422 m
Category: 2