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 after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
Very informative site,
Thank you! That means a lot!