Mur de Kigali is a climb of 5.0 kilometers (category 3). Mur de Kigali tops out at 1,511 m above sea level. It is located in Kigali, n/a, Rwanda. The average gradient is 3.6% with a maximum of 10.6%. The climb has 180 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: This 5 km climb averages 3.6% for 180 m of elevation gain, which puts it in Category 3. It's tough from the get-go, with 7% between 0.0 and 0.5 km, then the hardest section comes between 1.5 and 2.0 km at 8%. The 0.5-1.0 km and 3.5-4.0 km stretches, at 1%, give you a breather, while the final 4.5-5.0 km is practically flat.
Pacing tips:
1. Hold back on the 7% start. Don't go hard over the first 500 meters so you still have something in the tank for the 8% section between 1.5 and 2.0 km.
2. Recover on the flats. Use the 1% stretches (0.5-1.0 km and 3.5-4.0 km) to catch your breath, drink up, and get your cadence back.
3. Gear down on the wall. Between 1.5 and 2.0 km, stay in a small gear, keep a steady cadence around 80 rpm, and stay seated if you can.
Those who have climbed the Kigali Wall say the climb is less hard than they imagined. It's short but very steep, and several riders' reports stress that gradient.
The road is cobbled, and one rider finds them well laid. Watch out, though, for the water drainage channels halfway up, especially with narrow tyres.
Out there, people come for more than just the bike. They say you can stroll around, buy traditional crafts, relax under the nice trees and enjoy the fresh air. Others go jogging there in the morning and evening.
The climb has been used by the Tour du Rwanda, and riders describe it as impressive.
Opinions on the atmosphere aren't all mellow: one comment calls for more respect and fewer attacks, without saying who or what it's about.
5.0 km • 180 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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