Chidothi Pass is a climb of 32.3 kilometers (category 1). Chidothi Pass tops out at 1,295 m above sea level. It is located in Mvera, Dowa, Malawi. The average gradient is 2.7% with a maximum of 11.7%. The climb has 861 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: This Category 1 climb is moderate in distance (32.3 km), but its profile calls for tactical riding. The 3% average gradient is misleading: there are five sections at 5% and above (KM 10-11 at 7%, KM 14-15 at 6%, KM 21-22 at 6%, KM 25-26 at 5%, KM 27-28 at 5%), and these are the key sections. The several stretches of flat or downhill road (KM 2-3, 4-5, 8-9, 11-12, 15-16, 17-18, 23-24) give you essential recovery moments.
Pacing tips:
1. Vary your effort: Use the flat and downhill sections to recover actively (easy gear, smooth pedal stroke) so you hit the sections above 5% with your legs still fresh.
2. Don't burn matches on the early gradients: Avoid going too hard on the easier 1-3% slopes, which make up a large part of the route. Your effort should be dictated mainly by the steepest kilometres.
3. Save something for the finish: The last kilometre (KM 31-32) averages 5%. Keep some energy in reserve for this final section before the short descent to the line.
32.3 km • 861 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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