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CLIMBING CALCULATOR

Elevation and time in. VAM, climbing W/kg, and benchmark tier out.

FAMOUS CLIMBS

hours
minutes
seconds
bike + kit (kg)

METHODOLOGY

Formula: VAM = elevation gain (m) / time (hours). The Italian acronym stands for Velocità Ascensionale Media — average ascent speed. It was popularised by Dr. Michele Ferrari in the 1990s as a way to compare climbing performances across different cols without needing power-meter data.

W/kg estimate:On climbs steeper than about 5 %, gravity is the dominant resistance. The simplified physics: Power = mass × g × vertical velocity. Rearranging gives W/kgsystem≈ VAM / 367 (where 367 = 3600 / 9.81). We then adjust for bike weight to give rider W/kg. Below 4-5 % gradient, aero drag and rolling resistance become significant and this estimate loses accuracy.

Pro benchmarks:Grand Tour climbers sustain 1,600-1,800 m/hr on HC summit finishes. The fastest individual efforts (breakaway riders on Alpe d'Huez, for example) have exceeded 1,800 m/hr. For context, a well-trained amateur on a 45-minute col typically sits between 900 and 1,200 m/hr.

Limitations: VAM compares apples to apples only on similar gradients. A 5 % climb produces lower VAM than a 10 % climb at the same W/kg because more of your power goes into overcoming air resistance on the shallower gradient. Altitude, heat, drafting, and road surface all affect the number too.

Last updated: July 2026 · Tool version 1.0

FROM HERE

ARTICLEHow Long Will It Take You to Climb That Col? The Maths Behind Cycling Climbing TimeEvery cyclist staring at a col profile asks the same question — how long will it take me? The maths is simpler than you think, and getting it right changes how you pace the whole climb.PODCAST7 Hacks Pro Riders Use That You Probably Don't | Matt Bottrillwith Matt BottrillARTICLEPredicting Your Race Time — What Actually WorksStrava's estimated time is a coin toss. A physics-based race predictor that models aero drag, rolling resistance, gradient, and your actual power data gets within 2-3 per cent of reality — if you feed it honest numbers.ARTICLEClimb Time Prediction and Climbing Strategy: Physics, Pacing, and Setting Realistic TargetsThe difference between knowing your climbing time and guessing it is the difference between riding the climb and the climb riding you. Here is how the physics works, how to pace any ascent over 20 minutes, and what the Alpe d'Huez and Ventoux benchmarks actually mean for your W/kg.

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