Wauchope Forest: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Wauchope Forest

Collections

Simon Warren’s Cycling Climbs of Scotland

North of Saughtree, the B6357 climbs towards Wauchope Forest on the road to Bonchester Bridge. Its length is the first thing to account for: roughly 7.7 kilometres, with about 240 metres of total ascent. The road winds away from the lower valley and into the hills, gaining height gradually at first before the middle section asks for more sustained work.

The forest setting does not make this a single enclosed corridor. Trees and openings in the surrounding ground give the ride a changing outlook, while bends prevent the whole climb from presenting itself at once. Higher up, the road includes a brief loss of height before rising again, so the first easing is not the end of the effort. That uneven upper section adds interest to an ascent shaped more by distance and changing terrain than by any one steep pitch. It is a worthwhile climb through the southern Borders.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 176 m · Summit 382 m

Gradient by distance7.69 km / 239 m gain

0 km1.5 km3.1 km4.6 km6.2 km7.7 km

02 / The crux

Where it gets difficult

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

Steepest 500 m average

8.4%

Where to find it

3.30–3.80 km from start

Net height gained: 42 m
Section length: 500 m

The whole climb7.69 km

0 kmFinish

03 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 7.69 km
Elevation gain: 239 m
Average gradient: 2.7%
Climb category: Uncategorized
Start elevation: 176 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

22 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 21.1 km/h

Based on the 7.69 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