Gako is a climb of 7.2 kilometers (hors catégorie). Gako tops out at 2,165 m above sea level. It is located in Muhondo, Northern Province, Rwanda. The average gradient is 9.8% with a maximum of 19.2%. The climb has 713 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: Gako from Nyakarama is a beyond-category climb covering 7.2 km for 713 m of elevation gain, with an average gradient of 9.8%. The hard part is concentrated between KM 3.0 and KM 6.0, where the gradient stays sustained, with a peak at 17% between KM 3.5 and KM 4.0. The rare flat sections, such as KM 1.5-2.0 at 2% or KM 2.5-3.0 at 1%, aren't enough to let up on the pressure. The finish, with 4% from KM 6.5 to KM 7.0, finally offers a rollier exit.
Tips for managing your effort:
1. Pace your start: the first 500 metres at 9% (KM 0.0-0.5) tempt you to go out too hard, so settle into a sustainable rhythm right from the bottom of the climb.
2. Recover on the flats: use the 2% section (KM 1.5-2.0) and the 1% section (KM 2.5-3.0) to drink, eat and get your breathing back under control without wasting your reserves.
3. Save something for the finish: tackle the 17% ramp (KM 3.5-4.0) seated, in an easy gear, then bring the power back on the 6% stretch from KM 6.0 to KM 6.5 and the 4% stretch from KM 6.5 to KM 7.0 to finish with a kick.
7.2 km • 713 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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