The indieVelo "Switchback Hill Climb" Route-3.9km (2.4 mi), elevation 169m (554 ft)-a proper climb with switchbacks even!
Route Description
One of the eighteen original Beta routes rolled out on The Island in 2023, Switchback Hill Climb is a 4.1 km/2.55 mi. and 169m/555 ft. elevation route and the scene of many all-out Individual Time Trial Challenges.
Switchback Hill Climb starts from South Lake with a 1.7 km (1.1 mi.) flat portion we are making sure to mention because the likelihood that you will remember it at the end of the route is probably zero.
The main reason is the Switchback Hill Climb, a 2.3 km (1.4 mi.) long incline with an average gradient of 6.9% that pitches to 11%.
The climb is relatively steady, between 8% and 10% for the first 1.5 km (.9 mi.) Spoiler: The pain in your legs will be a controlled burn too, but closer to 100%.
Then it allows you to breathe with a 250 m 3% section. A better option is to invoke all the gods and goddesses you can conjure in your mind in preparation for the last 500 m, between 8 and 10%, which maxes out at 14%.
Courtesy of Beta-tester Roman Edelhelfer!
Route Profile
Route details and description courtesy of Beta-tester Andras Beck!
Summarized like that in a few words, it does not sound as utterly painful as it is: don’t take our word for it. Suffer it for yourself!
Thanks, Luciano!
Check out the indieVelo-Route Descriptions page for more useful recon information.
Semi-retired as owner and director of his private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice after over 20 years, Chris is blessed with the freedom to pursue his passion for virtual cycling and writing. On a continual quest to give back to his bike for all the rewarding experiences and relationships it has provided him, he created a non-profit. Chris is committed to helping others with his bike through its work and the pages of his site.
In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to New York to support the charity he founded, TheDIRTDadFund. His “Gain Cave” resides on the North Fork of Long Island, where he lives with his beautiful wife and is proud of his two independent children.
You will read him promoting his passion on the pages of Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. Chris is co-host of The Virtual Velo Podcast, too!
