Climb categories

[DooDah]

I have always been curious as to the how the powers that be categorise climbs. Do different countries have different criteria? Back in July I climbed a mountain in Spain that the locals said was a category 2, Strava says it is a 3, and I dare say if was part of the Vuelta it would not have a category. FWIW Strava says that all the climbs around me are 4 with very few being a 3, and some are harder than the one I did in Spain.

Can someone with way more knowledge than me, please explain all (I might regret saying that).

 

[MikeW-71]

I don't quite get it either, but I wouldn't necessarily trust Stravas ratings.

There's a road near me that Strava tagged as a 4. It's almost flat

 

[BSRU]

Basically if the average gradient of the climb is more than 3%, a cat 4 climb would be any climb that gains 80 metres, cat 3 is more than 160 metres, cat 2 more than 320 metres, cat 1 more than 640 metres, HC more than 800 metres.

You can calculate it, distance in metres x average gradient = climb points
Using this table
The minimum percent grade must be 3% or higher.
Cat 4 >= 8000,
Cat 3 >= 16000,
Cat 2 >= 32000,
Cat 1 >= 64000,
HC >= 80000.

 

[Rasmus]

In pro racing, the category will also depend on the position in the stage. So, the same climb can be category 3 if placed in the middle of a stage, or category 2 if right at the end.

 

[Brandane]

Cat 4 >= 8000,
Cat 3 >= 16000,
Cat 2 >= 32000,
Cat 1 >= 64000,
HC >= 80000.

HC = Helluva Climb?

 

[Hill Wimp]

Strava is a motivator NOT the truth.

 

[HLaB]

HC = Helluva Climb?

I cant spell it but it basically means Beyond Categorie; yip Helluva a Climb is pretty Accurate.

Back to the OP I found that Strava would depend where a segment started, for example the Cairgorm is Cat 1 from the bottom but steepens 1/4 way up and a lot of segments start there and then its only a Cat 2

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

As the good man above says, it means 'beyond category' - hors catégorie.

It simply means that you should tackle it one way only, down the way!

 

[buggi]

Someone once told me that in the old days of vintage cars, the way they used to categorise it depending on what gear was needed to get up it in car. ie. if you could get up it in 4th gear it was a Cat 4, but if you had to use first gear, it was Cat 1 etc. If the car wouldn't go up it, it was HC. Then, when cars got better, they started to work it out mathematically.

I'm not sure how true this is, but it's kinda romantic in a cycling kind of way. and it's a good story to tell non-cyclists.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Someone once told me that in the old days of vintage cars, the way they used to categorise it depending on what gear was needed to get up it in car. ie. if you could get up it in 4th gear it was a Cat 4, but if you had to use first gear, it was Cat 1 etc. If the car wouldn't go up it, it was HC. Then, when cars got better, they started to work it out mathematically.

I'm not sure how true this is, but it's kinda romantic in a cycling kind of way. and it's a good story to tell non-cyclists.

That's my understanding too.

My own classification is meaured by the depth of teeth marks in the handle- bar tape ....

 

[buggi]

That's my understanding too.

My own classification is meaured by the depth of teeth marks in the handle- bar tape ....

yea in fact, IIRC i think the presenters said it one year on the Tour coverage, so i think it is true.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I categorize them on thigh burn level. Most of my hills are easily 1 & 2

 

[Saluki]

Someone once told me that in the old days of vintage cars, the way they used to categorise it depending on what gear was needed to get up it in car. ie. if you could get up it in 4th gear it was a Cat 4, but if you had to use first gear, it was Cat 1 etc. If the car wouldn't go up it, it was HC. Then, when cars got better, they started to work it out mathematically.

I'm not sure how true this is, but it's kinda romantic in a cycling kind of way. and it's a good story to tell non-cyclists.

When I asked my Dad about catagories a lot of years ago he told me this too but he said it was the gear selection on a 2CV.

He also said that an HC should actually be DBD catagory (don't be daft)

 

[buggi]

2CV rings a bell! i think we're getting to the bottom of it now!

 

[buggi]

i categorise them as
4. mmm this is a bit annoying
3. o no, that looks a bit steep
2. even standing up, i haven't got enough body weight to push these damn pedals down
1. i can't fricking breath .
HC. fark it, where's the pub.