Ivan-sedlo is a climb of 4.1 kilometers (category 2). The climb finishes at 962 m above sea level. It is located in Donja Raštelica, Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine, Bosna i Hercegovina / Босна и Херцеговина. The average gradient is 6.2% with a maximum of 16.2%. The climb has 253 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty analysis: With 4.1 km for 253 m of elevation gain and an average gradient of 6.2%, the Ivan-sedlo is a demanding and very consistent Category 2 climb. The difficulty comes mostly from the length of the middle section, from km 0.5 to km 3.0, where the gradient stays between 7% and 10% with no real respite. The hardest stretch is km 1.0-1.5 at 10%. The km 3.0-3.5 section, at 3%, then offers a welcome breather before the 6% of the final kilometer.
Tips for pacing yourself:
1. Dial in your effort from the start. Use the 5% from km 0.0-0.5 to find your rhythm, not to burn through your reserves.
2. Manage the 10% section between km 1.0 and km 1.5. Stay seated, keep a smooth cadence and avoid surges that will cost you dearly later on in the climb.
3. Recover on the flat-ish section from km 3.0-3.5. Take advantage of the 3% gradient to drink, eat and rebuild your effort, because the km 3.5-4.0 at 6% will still require some reserves.
Ivan Sedlo pass sits at around 960 meters above sea level, between the Bitovnja and Bjelašnica mountains on the Ivan-planina. It links two major parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and marks the divide between the Adriatic and Black Sea watersheds. Riders who've been up it describe it as a spot of nature and fresh air, and a few say it's the easiest way to reach Mount Bitovnja from Sarajevo.
The road is tarmac, two lanes wide. One rider reports that after four or five minutes of riding, you leave the asphalt for roughly 100 meters of gravel track to a shady corner where you can hear the birds. There's also a memorial to those who died defending the country. One rider mentions a phenological garden nearby.
The downsides come up a lot. Several riders talk about frequent roadworks and a wind farm that has changed the place considerably, to the point that one rider feels the wind turbines have ruined the spot. The pass is also considered very tough for traffic, especially in winter. One person notes that on July 27, thousands of visitors used to come every year, whereas today there are far fewer people.
As for food and supplies, reviews of what's on offer up there are very positive: one rider calls it top quality, with a wide range of pastries, breads and pizzas.
Other feedback is more lukewarm, sometimes just "fine" or "just another pass." If you're mainly after peace and quiet, shade and a proper nature ride, the reviews are pretty favorable. If you're hoping for a quiet road and an untouched site, you'll have to put up with the roadworks and traffic.
4.1 km • 253 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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