Pitroddie Hill: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Pitroddie Hill

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Simon Warren’s Cycling Climbs of Scotland

The road west from Pitroddie leaves the lower countryside east of Perth and climbs into the hills on a much smaller scale than the Highland passes. Its bends turn the route away from the settlement and towards higher ground, giving the ascent an enclosed, local character. The surrounding landscape belongs to the Braes of the Carse: farmland and wooded hills rather than a long, open mountain valley. The destination is a rise in the road, without the landmarks of a ski centre or a summit mast.

At about two kilometres, this is a short climb, but an average close to 9% makes it a sustained effort. The limited distance is misleading if it suggests a quick interruption to an easy ride; there is a considerable amount of height to gain before the upper road. Pitroddie's appeal is that compact change of level, tucked into ordinary Perthshire countryside.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 24 m · Summit 203 m

Gradient by distance2.00 km / 180 m gain

0 km0.4 km0.8 km1.2 km1.6 km2.0 km

02 / The crux

Where it gets difficult

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

Steepest 500 m average

12.5%

Where to find it

0.50–1.00 km from start

Net height gained: 62 m
Section length: 500 m

The whole climb2.00 km

0 kmFinish

03 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 2.00 km
Elevation gain: 180 m
Average gradient: 8.9%
Climb category: 3
Start elevation: 24 m
Summit elevation: 203 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

12 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 9.9 km/h

Based on the 2.00 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