Kemmelberg: Cycling Climb

The climb · Belgium

About Kemmelberg

Collections

Hellingen

The Kemmelberg gathers the surrounding Heuvelland countryside into a compact, wooded rise. This approach comes from the south-east, on the Belvedère side, where the road turns upwards through the trees rather than taking the separate Ossuaire ascent. The selected climbing section is only about 440 metres long, but its cobbled surface gives that small distance a substantial presence. The woodland draws the eye towards the next piece of road; the wider landscape becomes secondary once the front wheel reaches the stones.

An average gradient close to 11% leaves little room for an easy rhythm. Each pedal stroke has to carry both the slope and the small interruptions of the paving, and a loss of momentum is more noticeable than it would be on tarmac. The road bends on its way up, keeping the effort contained within the hill. It is a brief climb with a character that comfortably exceeds its size.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 94 m · Summit 141 m

Gradient by distance0.44 km / 47 m gain

0 km0.1 km0.2 km0.2 km0.3 km0.4 km

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 0.44 km
Elevation gain: 47 m
Average gradient: 10.8%
Climb category: Uncategorized
Start elevation: 94 m
Summit elevation: 141 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

3 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 7.7 km/h

Based on the 0.40 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