The climb · France
About Col de la République
Leaving Saint-Étienne, the northern approach to the Col de la République is a ride from the city into the hills. The ascent takes you into the Pilat, leaving the city for higher, wooded country. There is something pleasingly direct about a ride that begins in an urban setting and earns its way into the hills.
About thirteen kilometres gives the effort time to build, even though the average gradient is modest. Resist the urge to turn that into a promise of an easy ride. The reward is the journey from city to pass, a sustained climb whose scale is best appreciated from the saddle rather than from its headline figures.
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
11.6%
Where to find it
2.00–2.50 km from start
- Net height gained
- 58 m
- Section length
- 500 m
03 / The numbers
Climb statistics
- Distance
- 12.86 km
- Elevation gain
- 595 m
- Average gradient
- 4.5%
- Climb category
- 2
- Start elevation
- 591 m
- Summit elevation
- 1,170 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
46 min
- Power throughout
- 225 W
- Average speed
- 16.7 km/h
Based on the 12.86 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 République
Saint-Étienne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
- Route length
- 12.86 km
- Total ascent
- 595 m
- Average gradient
- 4.5%
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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Chemin de la Rivière Cascades
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Grézieu-la-Varenne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
45.2 km away · Explore climb →
Côte du Val d'Enfer
1.5 km · 11.1% · 155 m gain
Guilherand Granges, Rhône-Alpes, France
64.4 km away · Explore climb →
Suc de Montivernoux
3.9 km · 4.5% · 183 m gain
Mézilhac, RA, France
67.1 km away · Explore climb →
Col de la Croix Rosier
5.5 km · 7.5% · 435 m gain
Le Perréon, Rhône-Alpes, France
74.0 km away · Explore climb →