Pikula is a climb of 4.9 kilometers (category 3). The climb finishes at 705 m above sea level. It is located in Dolný Kubín, Žilinský kraj, Slovensko. The average gradient is 4.5% with a maximum of 9.1%. The climb has 219 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: The Pikula is a climb of 4.9 km with 219 m of elevation gain, averaging 4.5%, which makes it a Cat 3 climb. The first 2.5 km are steady at 3%, but the gradient ramps up noticeably from KM 3.0, where it hits 6%, then 7% and 8% between KM 3.5 and 4.5. The final section at 7% (KM 4.5-4.9) will demand a clear head to manage what's left in the legs.
Tips for pacing the climb:
1. Pace yourself until KM 2.5 Don't go out too hard on the 3% sections so you have something in the tank for the steepest part.
2. Prepare for the ramp at KM 3.0 Shift to an easier gear before this point to keep a smooth cadence when the gradient hits 6%.
3. Manage the finish from KM 3.5 to KM 4.9 Stay seated as much as you can, keep a steady cadence between 7 and 8%, and limit yourself to one or two surges.
Those who have climbed Pikula remember above all the view and the light. One cyclist describes the colour contrast at sunset, and that is the detail that comes back most clearly in these accounts.
Another writes that it's his favourite spot. A third simply says "super". These accounts are short, so they don't say anything specific about the road, the traffic, the gradient or the atmosphere on the pass.
4.9 km • 219 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
Join thousands of cycling fans! Plan your rides, record your performance, track your progress and discover the finest climbs.
Live climb profile to pace your effort all the way to the top.
