Lyle Hill: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Lyle Hill

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Simon Warren’s Cycling Climbs of Scotland

Greenock's Lyle Road winds up from the Battery Park and Cardwell Bay side towards the hillside above the Clyde. The ascent gains about 100 metres in roughly 1.4 kilometres, a short climb that quickly changes your relationship with the shore below. The curves make the height gain feel less direct than the figures suggest, carrying the road across the slope as well as upwards.

This is an urban climb with a much wider landscape around it. The upper road serves the Lyle Hill viewpoint area, where the outlook takes in Gourock, the Firth of Clyde and the hills of Cowal beyond. The road ascent should not be confused with the higher summit of the hill: its attraction is the winding approach and the outlook available around the upper slopes. It offers a satisfying amount of climbing and scenery within a small distance of the waterfront.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 11 m · Summit 109 m

Gradient by distance1.44 km / 99 m gain

0 km0.3 km0.6 km0.9 km1.2 km1.4 km

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 1.44 km
Elevation gain: 99 m
Average gradient: 6.8%
Climb category: 4
Start elevation: 11 m
Summit elevation: 109 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

7 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 12.5 km/h

Based on the 1.44 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