Shaft Road: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Shaft Road

Collections

Simon Warren’s Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs

Shaft Road works its way up from Monkton Combe towards Claverton Down, on the southern side of Bath. The stored ascent turns north-west overall, following a winding line out of the village and onto higher ground. At around 1.3 kilometres, it is short enough to fit naturally into a ride through the hills around the city, but long enough for its changes of gradient to become distinct.

A sharper rise early on interrupts the introduction, and another demanding section arrives around the middle. Between them, easier road gives the legs a different cadence without ending the ascent. The upper stretch softens, allowing the climb to unwind rather than stop abruptly at its hardest point. This alternating effort suits the folded landscape around Monkton Combe: the road never stays in one mood for very long. A neatly varied climb on Bath's edge.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 62 m · Summit 161 m

Gradient by distance1.25 km / 99 m gain

0 km0.3 km0.5 km0.8 km1 km1.3 km

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 1.25 km
Elevation gain: 99 m
Average gradient: 7.9%
Climb category: 4
Start elevation: 62 m
Summit elevation: 161 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: 11.1 km/h

Based on the 1.25 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