Riding Levels

You have been riding a mountain bike consistently for one or more seasons and are capable of controlling bike speed and direction on smooth doubletrack and rolling singletrack trails. You can change gears, brake, and pedal efficiently. Your overall fitness level is moderate, and you can handle several hours on the bike for a few consecutive days.

You have been mountain biking regularly for at least two years, and can brake, use gears and corner with confidence. You are competent at riding trails with moderate climbs and descents on both double and singletrack and can handle some loose rocks and rooty sections. You ride one or more times per week in biking season and are comfortable at a moderate sustained pace for a couple of hours. Your overall fitness level is moderate, and you do other activities besides biking throughout the year.

You have been mountain biking for three or more years, and are confident riding all types of singletrack in various conditions (muddy, dry, loose, rock slabs). You can handle small drops and jumps, descend technical steep sections, and ride at a sustained pace for several hours over multiple days. You can ride confidently with some exposure and handle several climb sections per day. Your overall fitness level is moderate to high, and you bike almost all year round, in addition to other fitness activities.

Have been mountain biking consistently for five years or more and can ride technical trails including steep sections, small jumps, and small drops. You can ride switchbacks confidently, including rock gardens and sections with exposure. Your overall fitness level is high and you have the endurance to ride for 4-6 hours, over multiple days, with some intense climbs. You bike as much as you can, in all weather, and over all terrain. You know when to walk a section that might be outside your comfort zone.

You eat, sleep and drink all things mountain biking and have been riding for over a decade. You ride four or more times a week in all weather and can ride all day long in challenging conditions. You can handle almost any type of terrain including hike-a-bike sections and can navigate truly technical trails. Your overall fitness level is very high and you can handle hours of intensity, for multiple consecutive days. You know when to walk a section that might be outside your comfort zone.