(I.e. PELIZZE Climb – (Val Liona)

Classification: BLACK

Introduction

Pelizze It's a climb that leaves no room for interpretation: short, direct, and severe. It's one of those climbs that immediately reveal themselves for what they are, without any reassuring prelude. Here, the cyclist immediately enters the heart of the struggle, immersed in a compact and silent hilly environment, where the gradient takes center stage.

General data

• Length: 2,0 km
• Difference: 196 m
• Average slope: 10,0%
• Maximum slope: ~15–16%
• Starting altitude: ~ 30 m
• Arrival altitude: ~ 225 m
• Main exposure: North / Northeast
• Type: short, very steep and continuous climb

Technical analysis of the climb

🔹 Sector 1 – Challenging start (0,0 – 0,7 km)

From the first few meters, the road climbs steeply. The gradients consistently hover between 8 and 10%, with sections already reaching double digits. There's no time to warm up: you need to immediately shift into the right gear and establish a smooth pedal stroke.

🔹 Sector 2 – Selective central section (0,7 – 1,5 km)

This is the heart of the Pelizze. Here, the climb shows its toughest character: long sections at 10–12% and short bursts approaching 15%. The road is winding, the pace is broken, and managing effort becomes crucial. This is the section that really makes the difference.

🔹 Sector 3 – Final without discounts (1,5 – 2,0 km)

The finale doesn't offer any real relief. Although the profile suggests a slight reduction, the gradient remains steep until the final meter. You reach the top with the feeling of having tackled a longer climb than the mileage suggests.

Sensations on the road

Pelizze is brucianteYour legs immediately work in the critical zone, your breath becomes short, and your perception of time expands. It's a climb that tests your mental as well as physical strength: every curve seems identical to the last, every meter gained weighs heavily. The satisfaction at the finish is proportional to the suffering.

Naturalistic aspects

The environment is typical of the innermost Berici Hills: dense woods, shaded slopes, and recessed sections that enhance the feeling of enclosure. In the more open areas, glimpses of the Val Liona, but it's a climb more intimate than scenic, where nature silently accompanies the cyclist's efforts. Worth noting (on the way back) is a stop at the fantastic panoramic terrace of Grancona, the church square from which you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the Val Liona.

Artistic and cultural places

The climb crosses an authentic rural territory, marked by historic districts, stone houses, and small votive shrines. There are no striking monuments, but a discreet presence of traditional Berico architecture, which tells a story of agricultural labor and popular devotion.

How to deal with it

• Relationships: a lean gear ratio (34x30 or higher) is mandatory
• Strategy: controlled pace, avoid over-revving on the first ramps
• Technique: smooth pedaling, intelligent use of the riding position
• Management: climb to be tackled coldly only if well trained

Ideal as a test of pure strength or as a decisive segment within a challenging hilly ride.

Identikit of the climb

• Character: brutal and direct
• Style: forceful climb
• Ideal soil: neuromuscular work and VO₂ max
• Typical cyclist: powerful climber, lover of steep slopes
• Keyword: selective

⚫ Pelizze It's a climb that allows no compromises: short but intense, silent but extremely tough, perfect for those seeking not only beauty in the Berici Hills, but also a real challenge against the slope.