Asterton Bank: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Asterton Bank

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Simon Warren’s Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs

Asterton Bank leaves the village on the western side of the Long Mynd and climbs north-east up its steep flank. The ascent is just under a kilometre long, but its average gradient of roughly 16.5 per cent makes that short distance substantial. After the road curves out of the village, its direct line gives you little scope to forget the slope. The hillside seems to rise ahead almost as quickly as the village drops away behind.

For most of the climb, the demand is sustained. The road does not spread the height gain across a generous series of traverses, and the small change of direction higher up offers only limited relief. Near the finish, the gradient becomes less severe, bringing a welcome change after the main bank. Asterton earns its character through concentration: a brief road that makes the western edge of the Long Mynd feel very steep indeed.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 256 m · Summit 419 m

Gradient by distance0.99 km / 163 m gain

0 km0.2 km0.4 km0.6 km0.8 km1.0 km

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 0.99 km
Elevation gain: 163 m
Average gradient: 16.5%
Climb category: 3
Start elevation: 256 m
Summit elevation: 419 m

Current weather

At the climb start

Loading weather…

Weather data: MET Norway

03 / Your effort

How long would it take?

Enter the power you could hold for the whole climb. We calculate a moving time from the elevation profile and the forces you ride against.

Sustained power

W/kg

Use your intended climbing effort, rather than FTP unless you can hold it for the predicted duration.

Rider weight (kg)

Bike + kit weight (kg)

Bike + kit includes clothing, bottles and luggage.

Advanced settings

Defaults represent a road-bike scenario. Adjust these settings to match your tyres, drivetrain and riding position.

Effective drag area (CdA) (m²)

Rolling resistance (Crr)

Drivetrain efficiency (%)

Modelled moving time

10 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 5.7 km/h

Based on the 0.99 km elevation profile. Assumes steady power, with no stops, braking or drafting. Rounded to the nearest minute.

The science behind the calculation

For each part of the stored profile, we solve the steady-state cycling power equation for speed, then add distance ÷ speed across the climb. Gravity uses rider + equipment weight; available power is W/kg × rider weight. This uses the profile’s distance and elevation together, without mixing in another route’s metrics.

Power × efficiency = gravity + rolling resistance + air resistance + bearing losses

The resistance equations are adapted from Martin et al. (1998), Validation of a Mathematical Model for Road Cycling Power. Air density changes with profile altitude using NASA’s standard-atmosphere model. This calculator’s adaptation has not been independently validated.

It predicts travel at the power you enter, including on descents. It does not model acceleration, cornering, braking, traffic, wind, changing weather or fatigue. At altitude, choose power you can sustain there: thinner air reduces drag, but this model does not predict its effect on your ability to produce power. Profile quality and assumed equipment settings also affect the result.

04 / On the ground