The climb · France
About Col de l' Oeillon
From Chavanay, the Col de l'Oeillon climbs away from the Rhône valley into the Pilat. This is the long eastern approach, nearly twenty kilometres of gaining height, rather than a short hop across the summit roads. The landscape changes with the altitude, and the valley start makes the eventual climb into the uplands feel substantial.
Length is the thing to keep in mind. A comfortable opening does not remove the work ahead, and a gear that feels unnecessarily kind early on may seem a wise choice later. The col sits below the Crêt de l'Oeillon: reaching the pass and reaching the higher viewpoint are different ambitions. For the pass alone, this is already a full and rewarding ascent.
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
8.0%
Where to find it
18.00–18.50 km from start
- Net height gained
- 40 m
- Section length
- 500 m
03 / The numbers
Climb statistics
- Distance
- 19.54 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,070 m
- Average gradient
- 5.5%
- Climb category
- HC
- Start elevation
- 161 m
- Summit elevation
- 1,231 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
1 h 18 min
- Power throughout
- 225 W
- Average speed
- 15.0 km/h
Based on the 19.54 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 l' Oeillon
Chavanay, Rhône-Alpes, France
- Route length
- 19.54 km
- Total ascent
- 1,070 m
- Average gradient
- 5.5%
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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Col de la Croix Rosier
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Le Perréon, Rhône-Alpes, France
72.9 km away · Explore climb →