UNDERSTANDING SKILL & FITNESS LEVELS
Understanding Your Skill Level
LEVEL 1: NEW TO MOUNTAIN BIKING
You’ve never ridden a mountain bike, or you have only tried it once or twice.
LEVEL 2: BEGINNER (GREEN)
You can ride the bike on basic gravel roads, double track or wider green trails. You can operate the bike, but are still learning and improving in the areas of climbing, descending, shifting and cornering. More technical aspects, like roots, rocks and tight switchback may require walking.
LEVEL 3: INTERMEDIATE (BLUE)
You are proficient at braking on descents, shifting through gears, and have the ability to maintain and progress through controlled climbs and descents. You have the ability to navigate through a variety of technical features, such as rocks, roots, and tight switchback. You prefer a more slow and controlled pace of riding.
LEVEL 4: SKILLED INTERMEDIATE (BLUE/BLACK)
You are a comfortable and confident rider, with the ability to navigate variable terrain at a consistent pace. You can ride singletrack trails and easily navigate rocks, roots, water crossings and sand. You can maneuver your bike over obstacles (front/rear wheel lift) and are fairly confident on steep climbs and descents. You may walk certain features on trails that are rated Black.
LEVEL 5: ADVANCED RIDER (BLACK)
You can handle technical terrain at high speeds, and are skilled at navigating features such as rocks, roots, mud, sand, and water crossings. You are skilled at shifting, braking and adjusting your weight on the bike to navigate challenging climbs, descents and all trail features. On a trail, you can confidently handle small obstacles, jumps and ride the apex of berms with ease.
LEVEL 6: EXPERT (DOUBLE BLACK/PRO LINES)
You are very advanced in all skill areas of mountain biking. This includes navigating all aspects of terrain and trail conditions at high speeds. You’re comfortable with jumps and maneuvering your bike with ease on the climbs, descents and wide array of trail features and challenges.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FITNESS LEVEL
TIER 1:
You can ride a bike for short periods of time (less than 30 mins) before requiring a stop to rest. Your total fitness is less than one hour per week.
TIER 2:
You exercise for at least one hour per week. You can ride a bike for up to 3 hours at a time for 3 consecutive days. You have a modest climbing ability on a bike and can gain 500 feet of elevation on the trail without stoping to push your bike.
TIER 3:
You have a reasonable level of mountain bike fitness. You ride at least 2 times per week all season/year for up to 2 hours per session. You can comfortably ride 3-4 hours at a moderate pace. You can ride four consecutive days with elevation gains of 1000 feet on the trail per day.
TIER 4:
You have a moderately strong mountain bike fitness level. You bike or exercise 3-4 times per week all season/year for up to 2-3 hours per session. You can comfortably ride 4-6 hours with some stopping at a modest pace. You can ride five consecutive days with elevation gains of 1500 feet on the trail per day.
TIER 5:
You have a very good mountain bike fitness level. You bike or exercise 5-6 times per week all season/year for up to 4-5 hours per session at a strong pace. You can ride 6-8 hours with some stopping at a slower pace. You can ride six consecutive days with elevation gains of 2000 feet on the trail per day.
TIER 6:
You are an extremely fit mountain biker. You bike or exercise 5-7 days per week year round. You can confidently bike 6-8 hours per session at a strong pace, and ride consecutively for 7-9 days with elevation gains of 3000 feet on the trail per day.