Dragon Hill Road: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Dragon Hill Road

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Simon Warren’s Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs

Dragon Hill Road leaves the B4507 near Uffington and climbs towards the hillside of the White Horse. The open contours give this short ascent an unusually clear setting, with the Vale of White Horse below and the chalk hills rising above it. At a little under a kilometre, the road makes a quick transition from the lower ground to a much broader outlook.

The climb is demanding early on, taking a fairly direct line up the slope before bending to the right. Beyond that turn, the gradient eases and the final road allows a more relaxed rhythm. The changing effort suits the landscape: close attention to the rising tarmac gives way to a greater sense of the surrounding vale. It is a modest distance with a distinct beginning and finish, made memorable by the shape of the hill around it.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 149 m · Summit 230 m

Gradient by distance0.93 km / 80 m gain

0 km0.2 km0.4 km0.6 km0.7 km0.9 km

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 0.93 km
Elevation gain: 80 m
Average gradient: 8.6%
Climb category: 4
Start elevation: 149 m
Summit elevation: 230 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

5 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 10.4 km/h

Based on the 0.93 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