The climb · France
About Col de la Croix de l'Homme Mort
The Croix de l'Homme Mort has a name that promises more menace than its average gradient. This approach climbs from the Montbrison side into the Forez, towards the country around Verrières-en-Forez. There is plenty of road between the low ground and the pass: roughly fourteen kilometres in which to find out whether your opening pace was sensible.
Treat the length with respect and the climb becomes an exercise in maintaining a rhythm. The wooded uplands are part of its attraction, drawing you away from the plain without the theatre of an exposed Alpine summit. Its character is patient rather than spectacular; a good road for discovering how much satisfaction there is in steady progress.
01 / The ascent
Elevation profile
02 / The crux
Where it gets difficult
Choose a distance to find the steepest continuous section of the climb.
Steepest 500 m average
9.0%
Where to find it
10.40–10.90 km from start
- Net height gained
- 45 m
- Section length
- 500 m
03 / The numbers
Climb statistics
- Distance
- 14.42 km
- Elevation gain
- 737 m
- Average gradient
- 5.0%
- Climb category
- 1
- Start elevation
- 422 m
- Summit elevation
- 1,148 m
04 / 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.
Use your intended climbing effort, rather than FTP unless you can hold it for the predicted duration.
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.
Modelled moving time
54 min
- Power throughout
- 225 W
- Average speed
- 15.9 km/h
Based on the 14.42 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.
05 / On the ground
Route map
Route overview
Col de la Croix de l'Homme Mort
Montbrison, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
- Route length
- 14.42 km
- Total ascent
- 737 m
- Average gradient
- 5.0%
06 / Take it home
The climb, as artwork
Turn the route into a personalised topographic print. Choose your colours and composition, then download your artwork.
07 / Keep exploring
Nearby climbs
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Côte du Val d'Enfer
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Guilherand Granges, Rhône-Alpes, France
95.2 km away · Explore climb →