Clovelly Climb: Cycling Climb

The climb

About Clovelly Climb

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Simon Warren’s Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs

The climb at Clovelly follows the private vehicle access road above the harbour, winding through the wooded hillside towards the visitor car park. The village’s cobbled High Street is a separate pedestrian route. Here, trees close around a narrow road whose bends compress a substantial rise into a small space. The selected ascent covers about 440 metres and gains roughly 70 metres, beginning partway up the access road rather than on the seafront itself.

The opening soon gives way to steeper climbing, with the middle of the recorded section accounting for much of the effort. Even as the gradient softens near the finish, the road continues upward; the relief arrives late and is relative to the slopes below. Shade and the tight turns give the climb an enclosed character. This is a private access route, so check with the visitor centre before riding. Clovelly offers a concentrated coastal climb with very little distance to spare.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 45 m · Summit 114 m

Gradient by distance0.44 km / 69 m gain

0 km0.1 km0.2 km0.3 km0.4 km0.4 km

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 0.44 km
Elevation gain: 69 m
Average gradient: 15.5%
Climb category: Uncategorized
Start elevation: 45 m
Summit elevation: 114 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

4 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 6.0 km/h

Based on the 0.44 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