Nick of the Balloch: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Nick of the Balloch

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Simon Warren’s Cycling Climbs of Scotland

From the Stinchar valley on the Balloch side, the road climbs southeast towards the Nick of the Balloch. Trees around the lower approach give way to a more open hillside, where the road cuts across the slope on its way to the pass. The ascent is about 3.9 kilometres long and gains roughly 255 metres, keeping the effort substantial without the distance becoming the main challenge.

The winding approach draws you into the climb before the upper road reveals more of the surrounding hills. Once on the open slopes, the line of the road becomes part of the scenery, carrying you above the valley rather than hiding the height gained among trees. The climbing remains fairly sustained across the route, with enough changes in direction to keep the ride absorbing. It is a pass whose appeal comes from the scale of its setting and the way the road travels through it.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 127 m · Summit 382 m

Gradient by distance3.88 km / 255 m gain

0 km0.8 km1.6 km2.3 km3.1 km3.9 km

02 / The crux

Where it gets difficult

Choose a distance to find the steepest continuous section of the climb.

Steepest 500 m average

9.2%

Where to find it

0.30–0.80 km from start

Net height gained: 46 m
Section length: 500 m

The whole climb3.88 km

0 kmFinish

03 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 3.88 km
Elevation gain: 255 m
Average gradient: 6.6%
Climb category: 3
Start elevation: 127 m
Summit elevation: 382 m

Current weather

At the climb start

Loading weather…

Weather data: MET Norway

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.

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

18 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 13.0 km/h

Based on the 3.88 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