El garita is a climb of 21.1 kilometers (hors catégorie). El garita tops out at 976 m above sea level. It is located in Chemachema, جيجل, Algérie ⵍⵣⵣⴰⵢⴻⵔ الجزائر. The average gradient is 6.0% with a maximum of 19.8%. The climb has 1271 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: At 21.1 km, this climb is a genuine HC-grade challenge. The real problem is its uneven profile. After a gentle start (0-3%), the gradient kicks up sharply between KM 4 and KM 8, with a brutal sequence of 8%, 10% and a peak at 14%. Two short descents (KM 8-9 and KM 16-17) break the rhythm, followed by variable sections at 7-10% that demand active recovery and sustained effort all the way to the summit.
Pacing tips:
1. Managing your pace: Resist the urge to go hard on the easy early kilometres. The real work starts at KM 4. Settle into a steady, sustainable rhythm so you reach the steepest part (KM 4-8) without already being in the red.
2. Make the most of the breaks: The two short descents (KM 8-9 and KM 16-17) are crucial. Use them to recover by spinning the legs lightly, without pushing, so your legs can partly recover before the steep sections that come straight after.
3. Focus on the finish: Even though the last 4 kilometres are "easier" (3-4%), accumulated fatigue makes this final section hard. Keep your cadence and your focus so you don't lose time on the home stretch.
21.1 km • 1271 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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