We want to understand what kind of rider you are! This way, we can be sure your ride is suited just for you and you have an enjoyable ride.
SKILL LEVEL
- Total newbie. I can ride a bike and use hand brakes, but this will be my first ever mountain bike ride. Yay!
- Beginner. I mountain bike once a year, normally when on vacation. Rides are around one hour. Flat or downhill is best and am very much a beginner when it comes to skill, technique and ability.
- Advanced beginner. I mountain bike a few times a year, or I’ve been on a few rides spread out over many years. I can ride for 1-2 hours, tops and I know how to shift gears. I’m not particularly comfortable with long climbs or steep downhills. I prefer a flat or gradual downhill trail without any technical features.
- Low intermediate. I’ve been riding for at least a year, but sporadically. My rides are mainly 1-2 hours and I’m working up to doing long climbs. I know how to shift gears and I’m working on riding rocks and other technical elements but still occasionally need to walk up steep hills and technical stuff.
- Intermediate. I ride a few times a month or about once a week. I have been riding for at least 3 years and a typical ride for me is 2-3 hours long. I’m starting to be able to handle long climbs with some technical features. I’m working on fast cornering and riding trails with more technical features like rocks and exposure.
- Advanced Intermediate. I ride 1-2 times a week and I’ve been riding for at least 5 years. I can handle a ride up to 4 hours long and I’m pretty good on longer climbs. I’m willing to try more technical features such as rocks or roots and I like to push myself when on the bike.
- Advanced. I consider myself to be a strong rider. I ride at least 2-3 times a week and my rides can be 3-5 hours. I enjoy long climbs and technical features. I’m very comfortable with technical downhill and all cross-country trails.
- Expert. Mountain biking is a very big part of my life. I ride at least 3-4 times a week with up to 7 hour rides. I can ride all day and several days in a row. I love long, arduous climbs over 4,000 feet in elevation gain. I can handle extreme technical trails and I’m comfortable in the air as needed.
- Professional. I get paid to ride my bike. I’m that good. Bring it on!
FITNESS LEVEL
- Non-aerobic. Exercise is not a part of my life and I exercise less than one hour a week. The thought of going uphill on a bike is very daunting. I want the easiest, mellowest ride possible on flat, easy terrain!
- Very low intensity. I live a fairly sedentary life, with very little activity outside of walking. I can handle a one hour bike ride on flat terrain at a relaxed pace. Small, short hills are a challenge, but might be manageable. I exercise about one hour a week.
- Low intensity. I like to exercise, but I don’t get to do it more than 2 hours a week. I can ride a bike for 1-2 hours at a relaxed pace, with several good resting breaks. I can handle one or two easy hill climbs of up to 300 feet or so.
- Low-medium intensity. I try to get regular exercise, up to 2-3 hours a week. I can ride a bike for 2-3 hours at a relaxed to moderate pace, with a few short breaks. I can ride two days in a row and feel okay. I can climb up to 600 feet or so in a day.
- Medium intensity. I get regular exercise, up to 4-5 hours a week, including riding a bike. I can go on a four-hour bike ride at a moderate pace with some short breaks. I can ride two to three days in a row. I’m confident climbing up to 1,000 feet in a day.
- Medium-high intensity. I’m really getting into mountain biking and I can ride up to 5 hours a day at a moderate pace with some short breaks. I can definitely handle riding several days in a row. I can climb at least 1,500-2,000 feet in a day.
- High intensity. I consider myself a pretty fit athlete and I exercise on average 7-8 hours per week. I can ride 5-6 hours a day at a moderately fast pace with a few breaks and can definitely handle multiple days in a row. I can handle a ride with 3,000 feet of climbing.
- Very high intensity. I consider myself a strong endurance athlete and I get very regular, intense exercise for up to 10 hours a week. I can ride up to 7 hours a day at a fast and steady pace and I can ride for many days in a row and still feel pretty good. Long climbs, up to 4,000 feet are not a problem for me at all and I can handle steep terrain. I’m confident that I can ride most anything over the course a few days.
- Professional. I am a professional cyclist or endurance athlete and ride for long days on end. Bring it on!
