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Is 5,500m too much climbing?

  • This topic has 21 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by Hugor.
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  • July 30, 2014 at 7:53 pm #22029
    Jamesgraemer

    Ok, very subjective question. And depends on a lot of things. But hear me out…

    Planning a day of cycling in the alps at the end of August. Staying in switzerland but close enough to the Italian border to potentially take in Stelvio so feels like too good an opportunity to miss. I’ve planned out a 180km route, which strava says is 5,500m climbing, but just concerned I’m being a bit over ambitious!

    I do 100+ milers pretty regularly (about one a month at the moment) anyway so not too concerned about the distance. But I’ve topped out at about 4000m climbing in one day (The Fred Whitton) and definitely never done anything like Stelvio.

    So, based on your experience… how hard is Stelvio, really? How much of a step up is 5,500m in one day vs 4000m? Anyone ridden around here and got any other advice?

    Planned route is mapped here if you’re interested.

    http://www.strava.com/routes/709067

    All advice welcome! Thanks everyone.

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  • August 2, 2014 at 4:26 am #806829
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    Hugor

    Just returned from the Alps
    Just returned from the Alps myself though not done the Stelvio.
    A major factor to consider is the elevation. My power curve dropped by 10 – 20% up there and I noticed breathlessness at comparatively smaller heart rates. This will take a toll on an epic ride such as the one you have planned.

    As for gearing I’m 102kgs on a good day and I coped fine with 39/28 for 3 weeks up there. Most of my days out had about half the elevation gain you have planned however.

    August 1, 2014 at 4:51 pm #806827
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    consciousbadger

    If you do 100+ miles
    If you do 100+ miles regularly and got round FW you’ll be totally fine. Just make sure you have the right gearing, at least 28 at the back and clothing to suit both extremes of temperature. I did Marmotte this year (5000m of climbing) and got round fine, and I probably do a bit less cycling than you. The hardest ride I’d done prior to that was Etape du Dales. Hills in the UK can be tough, don’t forget that! Have a great time, sounds superb.

    August 1, 2014 at 4:16 pm #806825
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    fenix

    I’ve done the Stelvio from
    I’ve done the Stelvio from the other side – its a good climb – nothing outrageously steep – but it goes on and on. My ride was only about 40 miles for the day – up to the top and back again. We couldnt go over the other side as snow had avalanched and blocked the road.

    Be well equipped for the weather – you’ll need layers for the descents and look for options to shorten the route if the weather turns.

    If you can do the FW – you can do this – if you’re sensible.

    Have fun and stop to take in the views. Its not all about segments !

    August 1, 2014 at 12:55 pm #806823
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    ragtimecyclist

    I’d largely agree with all
    I’d largely agree with all the above – if you got round the Fred you’ll get round this, though i’d suggest that height gain over big continental climbs compared to the ups and downs of Cumbria are two different things. I haven’t ridden the Stelvio but have ridden similar in France (Ventoux, Bonette, Cayolle) and the sheer relentlessness does, for me, require a different mindset to a 20% pull up Honister Pass. Mind you, for my money, once you’ve ridden the combo of Hardknott and Wrynose with 90 miles already in your legs you can manage most other things.

    August 1, 2014 at 10:07 am #806821
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    crazy-legs

    This new Sportive in
    This new Sportive in Wales:
    http://road.cc/content/news/120372-toughest-uk-sportive-monster-set-accept-entries

    reckons it’s tougher than the FW with 4200m over 190km, yours is an extra 1300m but then again the climbs are longer, steadier and considerably bigger rather than this one which is short sharp ups and downs.

    I’d say it’ll be a hard day out but certainly not insurmountable, especially if you’re used to that kind of distance.

    July 31, 2014 at 10:14 pm #806819
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    Jamesgraemer

    Yeah sticking to 34×28 to get
    Yeah sticking to 34×28 to get me over the toughest bits. From what I’ve read, the swiss national park stuff on the other side of Stelvio down to Susch does look pretty incredible. As you say, hopefully a great day! Thanks for the advice everyone.

    July 31, 2014 at 9:00 pm #806817
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    Bedfordshire Clanger

    If you’ve done the Fred then
    If you’ve done the Fred then you should survive. It is a massive day out, do not underestimate it and do not go out to hard or the finish will be hell. Don’t go over geared either, the gradients may not be steep but tired legs need easy gears.

    Have fun!

    July 31, 2014 at 8:33 pm #806815
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    joopi

    It’s a beautiful route you’ve
    It’s a beautiful route you’ve planned and you should be fine. The Stelvio is relatively early in the day and although it’s a long one (48 hairpins!) I did not find it particularly hard, there are few really steep bits over 10%. You will probably find the climb from Süsch to the Flüelapass harder as the kilometers have started to add up by then. Main thing to remember: the descents are also long and should be used to refuel, ample supermarkets/shops in Sta. Maria, Zernez and Süsch. If you need to bail: the Swiss postbusses in the area have bike racks, taxis will be horribly expensive. The bit from the Ofenpass down to Zernez is particularly wild and beautiful, on perfect roads.

    July 31, 2014 at 5:07 pm #806813
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    Suffolk Cycling

    That sounds awesome! I think
    That sounds awesome! I think I’d need CXR94Di2’s motorcycle option, though!

    July 31, 2014 at 4:19 pm #806811
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    CXR94Di2

    I have ridden up the Stelvio
    I have ridden up the Stelvio on motorcycle. From memory the hairpins can be very steep on the inside corner so go wide around each of them. The straights weren’t dramatically steep , after 24km that might be a ill judged comment 🙂

    July 31, 2014 at 4:19 pm #806809
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    CXR94Di2

    I have ridden up the Stelvio
    I have ridden up the Stelvio on motorcycle. From memory the hairpins can be very steep on the inside corner so go wide around each of them. The straights weren’t dramatically steep , after 24km that might be a ill judged comment 🙂

    July 31, 2014 at 3:10 pm #806807
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    CyclingLocations.com

    It seems to me that you won’t
    It seems to me that you won’t have any problems, if you take things easy and don’t race up Stelvio. Speaking from experience, having a couple of other guys around may be helpful or it may prove to be disastrous.

    Having a bail out point is smart.

    Get your food & drink strategy right, listen to your body and you will have one hell of a cycling story to tell at the end.

    Good luck.

    July 31, 2014 at 8:15 am #806805
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    Jamesgraemer

    Cingles does look like a
    Cingles does look like a really tough day, and I’m guessing very dependent on the weather. I’ll be riding with a couple of other guys and we’ll be stopping a few times, not pushing the pace too much. So a long day but there’s also a bail out point to jump on a train before the final pass!

    Cheers for that cycle show video, definitely gives a good idea of what we’re in for!

    July 30, 2014 at 11:52 pm #806803
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    Colin Peyresourde

    Well for a comparison I did
    Well for a comparison I did the Club Cingles earlier this year. I did 4,555m of climb and in a shade under 8 hours (it was 150km of ascending/descending).

    I’m not a natural climbers build (I would call myself athletic in comparison with a real climber). That route was either 7-10% for most of it, with no flat transitions.

    I wouldn’t say that 5,000m+ is not possible, but it will be a slog. I think what made my Cingles worse was that my ride partner bailed on me due to sickness, so having someone there will make the whole thing more enjoyable.

    Probably the crucial issue is the gradients of the climbs. Averages of less than 7% will be exhilarating, but upwards of that and it will begin to grind. The question is what are you hoping to do before and after the 5,500m?…..

    July 30, 2014 at 11:33 pm #806801
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    chokofingrz

    Assuming your bike is
    Assuming your bike is unloaded, I think you’ll be able to enjoy your epic day ride. I did 2700m recently with luggage. It didn’t kill me, but slowed me down and had to walk a climb or two (Peak District). Get your food and water right and in the worst case you can stop for a rest or push it up the final sections.

    Judging by your route you are wisely doing the Stelvio in the first half, then one other big climb and 25km of downhill at the end. Hope you have a backup plan though, taxis are expensive in the Alps!

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