Kandovān Pass from دهستان کوهستان: what you need to know

Difficulty analysis: At 40.3 km, this beyond category climb is an extreme endurance test because of its 2961 m of total elevation gain. The 7.3% average gradient is deceptive. The profile shows uneven difficulty, with several punchy sections (11% gradients at km 2-3 and 13-14) that break your rhythm, interspersed with short flat stretches (km 3-4, 6-7, 16-18) that offer brief respite.

Pacing advice:

1. Hold a steady rhythm by targeting a power output or heart rate you can sustain for the long haul. Don't go overboard on the 11% sections.

2. Make the most of the easier gradients (≤4%, or even descending) to recover actively: keep the legs turning without pushing, so your muscles partially recharge.

3. Manage your fueling from the start, since this effort can easily last over 2h30, even for a trained climber. Drink and eat small amounts regularly.