Camps and Clinics Difficulty Levels

Road

LEVEL: Green

Riding Ability: Our recreation group (Green)riders are typically new to cycling or just enjoy riding at a more leisurely pace.  Typically, this group rider trains 1-3 days a week, rarely structured but still loves to get out and spin the legs. 

Rider Skills: Recreational (green) riders tend to be a bit uncomfortable riding in a group but not that comfortable in a casual paceline. They need to slow their pace a bit and spread out in the group over varying terrains, corners, and descents. 

  • Rider needs help in clipping in.

  • Rider has a hard time cornering.

  • Rider has a hard time reaching for water bottle.

  • Rider is still not clear on gear ratios and shifting. (What is a big ring or the 12 tooth?)

  • Rider isn’t comfortable standing up while pedaling.


Rider Pace: Group ride speeds tend to average 12-14 mph for women and 15- 17 mph for men.

Participates In: Fun group rides and solo riding that can have some solid speed and pace but that don’t always drive the redline. Recreational riders participate in many events, ranging from mass-start Gran Fondos to local rides and they generally focus on the events.

2.0 w/kg and below

Mountain:

Mountain bikers either haven’t been on the trails before or are new to trail riding!

  • You have experience (minimum one year) of riding a mountain bike/ e-mountain bike off-road

  • You own a mountain bike/ E-MTB and ride it at least once per month

  • You can change gear, brake and pedal efficiently

  • You bike on undulating (climbing and descending) gravel tracks, forest roads, double track and occasional singletrack

  • You like getting kilometres under your belt and are comfortable spending 3 – 4 hours in the saddle at a time

  • And the ‘+’ part of ‘Novice+’ means that you’re aspiring to ride sections of singletrack and more challenging terrain during your adventure with us

Road

LEVEL: Blue

Riding Ability: The blue rider loves to train and ride frequently during the week, but not always at a higher pace. Weekly training hours generally range from 8-10 hours.

Rider Skills: Blue riders tend to be comfortable riding in a group paceline, but tight spaces at a higher pace can make them nervous. They might need to slow their pace a bit over varying terrains, corners, and descents.

  • Rider can stand up while pedaling but is somewhat inefficient.

  • Rider can accelerate in the drops, but looks a bit “clunky”.

  • Rider has decent nutrition but could use some advice on how to fine tune.

  • Rider has a hard time clearing logs on a MTB.


Rider Pace: Group ride speeds tend to average 15-17 mph for women and 18-20 mph for the men.

Participates In: Faster group rides, sometimes pacing but also enjoying sitting in and being part of the group. Blue riders might enjoy mass start events (such as large group rides, charity events, and longer tours.

2-3 w/kg

Mountain

You have been mountain biking regularly for at least two years. Mountain bikers can clip into their pedals and ride some single track.

  • You can brake, use gears and corner with confidence

  • You have good bike handling skills, and are confident riding rough double track and non-technical singletrack

  • You are competent at riding undulating trails with moderate climbs and descents on both double and singletrack, but tend to get off and walk technical singletrack sections

  • You mountain bike (or e-mountain bike) approximately once a week throughout your biking season

Road

LEVEL: Black

Rider Ability: Our Black level riders train with a purpose! They regularly work out 4-6 days a week and focus on structured workouts and specific training formats. Weekly training hours range from 10-12+ hours. 

Rider Skills:  Black level performance group riders are comfortable riding in a single and double group pace-line and in tight spaces at a higher pace. They can maintain speed and position over a variety of terrains, corners, and descents.

  • Rider can stand up and pedal with ease.

  • Rider can use the drops to sprint and accelerate with little or no problem.

  • Riders’ nutrition and training plan are dialed but they could use some help with this in all areas

Rider Pace: Group ride speeds tend to average 18-20 mph.

Participates In: Fast group rides (always driving the pace) and/or some category racing and competitive events.

3+ w/kg and above

Mountain

Mountain bikers can clip into their pedals and ride some single-track. You are very confident handling most types of riding and obstacles, including drops (up to 1 foot), rocks, logs, switchbacks, larger rock gardens and sustained technical single-track

  • You can brake, use gears and corner instinctively

  • You have excellent bike handling skills and can lift front and rear wheels, do small jumps, corner, climb and descend steep trails.

  • You have considerable experience of riding on a wide variety of technical terrains including: rocky, rooty, muddy, loose, fast singletrack, exposed trails, bedrock for extended periods..

  • You ride at least three times a week and rarely get off and walk sections.

  • You can climb and descend comfortably on technical. singletrack for as long as required.

Road

Level: Double Black

Rider Ability: These men and women look like they are designed to ride a bike. They look effortless when they pedal! They regularly work out 6-7 days a week and focus on structured workouts and specific training formats. Weekly training hours range from 15+. hours.

Rider Skills: The ability of our double black riders? They can negotiate a rotating pace-line like a dream. They can use all their tools in a group ride to save energy and sprint for a town sign.

  • Rider can pretty much do it all on the road and the MTB. HOWEVER, every strong cyclist can use some help. That’s you, Tom Brady and Tiger Woods!

Rider Pace: Group ride speeds tend to average 21+ mph.

Participates In: Fast group rides, races bikes more than 5x a year.

3.5 w/kg+

Mountain

Mountain bikers can pretty much do it all but need some fine tuning for the 1% to make them awesom“er”! They can hop logs, and other techie skills.

  • You were born on a bike!

  • You can tackle anything the trail throws at you and have experience of riding all types of trail and obstacles (large, loose rocks, roots, drop-offs, logs, north shore…)

  • You take every opportunity you can to get out on your bike (4-5 times per week), in all weathers, and you’re happy to ride all day long

  • And the ‘+’ part of ‘Advanced+’ means that you will be up for taking on the challenge of long hike-a-bikes and long, technical descents, potentially in difficult weather conditions