Bonanza Pass

Bonanza Pass cycling climb profile

Bonanza Pass is a category 1 climb that asks for patience more than panic. The headline numbers set the tone: 24.4 km of climbing, starting at 466 m and topping out at 1486 m, with 1020 m of net elevation gain. The average gradient is 4.18%, and the maximum gradient is 8.52%.

That combination matters. A climb this long at a moderate average gradient is rarely decided by one brutal wall. It is decided by whether the rider keeps the effort under control early enough to still have usable power late. The maximum gradient of 8.52% is hard enough to punish overgearing or surging, but it is not the defining feature of the climb. The defining feature is the time spent going uphill.

How the gradient rides

Based on the profile data, Bonanza Pass should feel like a sustained aerobic climb rather than a stop-start punchy ascent. The 4.18% average suggests long sections where momentum can be maintained, especially for riders who stay seated, keep pressure smooth, and avoid treating every rise as a reason to accelerate.

The key tactical point is that the climb gains a full 1020 m from bottom to summit. Even if the gradient does not look severe on paper, the elevation gain accumulates steadily. Riders who go too hard in the opening part will not necessarily crack on the steepest pitch. More likely, they will find that the final portion becomes a grind because they have been riding above sustainable climbing power for too long.

Pacing and gearing notes

Treat Bonanza Pass as a long threshold-management effort. If riding by power, anchor the first part below the effort you think you can hold, then let the climb come to you. For riders using perceived exertion, the opening should feel controlled enough that breathing is firm but not forced. If it feels like a race effort early, it is probably too much.

Gearing should prioritise cadence control over speed. The 8.52% maximum gradient means an easier climbing gear is useful, not because the climb is savage, but because fatigue changes how manageable those steeper moments feel. A gear that feels optional at the bottom can become essential near the summit.

For training, Bonanza Pass is the kind of climb that rewards durable aerobic power and disciplined pacing around /glossary/ftp. It is not about one explosive move. It is about holding form, staying economical, and resisting the temptation to spend energy before the climb has properly taken its toll.