Just curious - how would the three main climbs of the Ironman Canada course be rated under the category system used in cycling races such as the Tour?
McLean Creek Rd
Richter Pass
Yellow Lake
Bob Leckron
Indianapolis (IMC 03)
I once read how the Tour climbs were categorized. I think it is a multiple of distance and gradient if I recall correctly.
My guess is that McClean Creek would not be a categorized climb since it is too small (although pretty steep).
Ricther pass might be the lowest category, maybe a 3rd category and same with Yellow Lake. I notice the Cote d’ Aleyrec at 3.2 Km and an average gradient of 4.7% is a category 3 climb.
-Just a guess.
Contrast those with L’Alpe d Huez at 15.5 KM.s and an average gradient of 6.3% and with 21 switchbacks and many sections much steeper than the average.
Going w/ Tom and Francois on this one: Cat 3 for Yellow and Richter.
There was a climb other than those two? I’ve done the race twice and don’t remember any real climbs before Richter.
And also position in the stage: a climb could be categorized differently depending on how early or late in the stage it is ridden, and what comes before it.
Hope this helps.