Down Lane: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Down Lane

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Simon Warren’s Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs

Down Lane starts above Ventnor, climbing east-north-east along the hillside on the Isle of Wight's southern side. The ascent is about 1.6 kilometres long, but its difficulty is concentrated near the beginning. The road curves as it rises, making the opening feel like a definite change of level from the town's upper edge.

After that demanding first section, the slope becomes much less severe. The ride can open out into a steadier rhythm, with the later road offering a gentler rise towards the finish. It is a pronounced change within a relatively short distance: the lower effort establishes the climb's character, while the remainder gives time to appreciate reaching the higher ground. Down Lane makes a compact ascent out of the contours above Ventnor, and its softer finish provides a welcome balance to the sharper start.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 139 m · Summit 240 m

Gradient by distance1.56 km / 105 m gain

0 km0.3 km0.6 km0.9 km1.2 km1.6 km

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 1.56 km
Elevation gain: 105 m
Average gradient: 6.5%
Climb category: 4
Start elevation: 139 m
Summit elevation: 240 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

8 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 12.4 km/h

Based on the 1.56 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