Climb time calculator
Find out how long a hill would take you to ride up. Type its length and height, then your weight and how fit you are now.
How the calculator works
It works out how hard you push on the pedals, then how fast that moves you and your bike up the hill. Three things slow you down: your weight against the slope, your tyres on the road and the air in front of you.
If you pick a fitness choice, the calculator guesses your FTP from your weight. FTP is the most power you can hold for about an hour. Nobody can hold that for a long climb, so on a climb of over an hour it uses a bit less.
Where the numbers come from
The sums are the same ones the Couch to Climb app uses for its climbs. The fitness choices match what beginners often hold: about 1.5 to 2.5 watts for each kilo they weigh. That comes from Roadman Cycling and the averages TrainerRoad shares about its riders.
Why your real time will be different
The answer is a guess for a steady ride on a calm day. Wind, heat, a heavy bike and stopping for a photo all add time. Use it to see roughly what you are aiming for.
Questions
Find out how long a hill would take you to ride up. Type its length and height, then your weight and how fit you are now.
How long does it take a beginner to ride up a hill?
It depends on the hill and on you. As a rough guide, a beginner who weighs 75 kg takes about 15 minutes for a hill 2.5 km long that climbs 120 m. Type your own numbers into the calculator to see yours.
Does my weight change how fast I climb?
Yes. On a hill you lift your body and your bike up the slope, so every extra kilo takes more power. On the flat, weight matters much less.
What if I do not know my FTP?
Pick the fitness choice that sounds most like you. The calculator then guesses your FTP from your weight.
Can I train for a climb on an indoor bike?
Yes. A smart trainer can make the pedals feel like the real hill. Couch to Climb gives you a step by step plan to ride a famous climb at home with no stops.
Updated . Written by Next Big Leap Ltd, who make the Couch to Climb app.
Ride up a famous climb on your indoor bike
Couch to Climb is a step by step plan for a smart trainer at home. It takes you from the sofa to the top of a real climb, with no stops. Your first climb, Box Hill, is free.
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Work out how many metres you climb in an hour, and a rough watts per kg.
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