Whalley Nab: Cycling Climb

The climb · United Kingdom

About Whalley Nab

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Simon Warren’s Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs

Whalley Nab rises south from the Whalley side of the River Calder, exchanging the valley for the wooded hillside in a short, concentrated ascent. The road turns into the climb almost immediately, and the lower section establishes its character before there is much opportunity to settle. Trees and bends keep the view close, making the next stretch of road more relevant than any distant summit. At about 1.3 kilometres, it is compact enough to look manageable on a map.

An average near 10% gives a better indication of the effort. A brief easing around the middle interrupts the steep climbing, but the road rises hard again before the upper slope finally becomes less severe. The changing gradient makes this more involved than a uniform bank: the respite belongs inside the climb, rather than marking its end. Whalley Nab delivers a sharp, self-contained challenge close to the valley below.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 74 m · Summit 203 m

Gradient by distance1.27 km / 129 m gain

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

02 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 1.27 km
Elevation gain: 129 m
Average gradient: 10.1%
Climb category: 4
Start elevation: 74 m
Summit elevation: 203 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

9 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 8.9 km/h

Based on the 1.27 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