Ride Levels

Please read the following descriptions below.  Take Experience, Skills/trails and Fitness all into equal account when positioning yourself into a category.  Please know 2 things:

1: You are not committed into one riding group, we encourage you to improve your skills

2: You will not be left behind.  If you overshot your abilities on a ride, the sweep has volunteered to keep you with the group.  

Level 1: Green 

• Experience: You are totally new to mountain biking! Rides at this level are all about getting comfortable putting your wheels on dirt and riding some bumps. 

• Skill/trails: Rides at this level will take place at Nose Hill, Fish Creek, 12 Mile Coulee, Bowmont, and green trails outside the city. 

• Fitness: breaks are a must-have, not a nice-to-have. Catch your breath, rest your legs, and get to know the other riders in the group.

Level 2: Green PLUS

• Experience: you are comfortable on your bike and confidently riding green trails both in and outside the city. You still enjoy green rides but want to start mixing in some time on blue trails to build your confidence on roots, rocks, and single track trails…and also, to ride longer distances. 

• Skill/trails: Rides at this level will be cross-country green and blue trails, starting to look at adding in trails like Merlin’s and Jumpingpound. Anticipate opportunities to practice your skill on roots and rocks, and more elevation (both up & down). Scheduled rides will run into the 10-15km range and will take place in a variety of locations including in town, West Bragg Creek, Kananaskis and Canmore.

• Fitness: While you may still need to push your bike, or take more frequent breaks on climbs, pedaling on undulating terrain for 30+ minutes does not feel intimidating. 

Level 3: Blue

• Experience: you are a solid rider, capable of taking on any blue trail with confidence, but would like to improve your riding style, speed and stamina. You know how much hydration and fuel you need to get you through a ride.

• Skill/trails: Rides at this level will include both cross-country and blue-rated downhill trails on Moose and Prairie Mountains (Ushoulda, Flo’s Diner). You need not be a speed demon but have the willingness to try riding more downhill including root and rock rollovers, as well as loose and chunky terrain. The group may choose to stop and session trickier sections to build skills and confidence.

• Fitness: rides will be faster paced with fewer breaks. You can manage sustained climbs for 15-20 minutes and have the ability to punch up steeper sections. You also have the ability to ride uphill over moderate roots and rocks. You enjoy riding for 2+ hours.

Level 4: Blue PLUS

• Experience: you are familiar with and confident riding all blue trails, both cross country and downhill, and are looking to ride longer routes and/or more advanced terrain. Shuttle runs often start showing up in this level. 

• Skill/trails: Rides at this level will be of longer distances (20-30+km) and/or on advanced terrain. Examples here would be Race of Spades, working up to Loamzilla and T-Dub. You’re excited to try more challenging features but also know when you need to walk a feature to keep things safe.

• Fitness: rides will be on longer routes, requiring a higher degree of fitness and stamina. You are able to manage 2-3 long climbs (e.g. Ranger, Bobcat, Shattered) with no more than 2-3 short breaks. You are comfortable with 500m+ of elevation gain and looking to build up to 1000m.

Level 5: Black 

• Experience: You are ready for everything and anything! Challenging lines, jumps and drops, and steep climbs. You are looking for big thrills and big challenges!

• Skill/trails: You can confidently make your way down black runs and are ready to tackle tougher features like skinnies, big drops, and maybe even some gap jumps. Combining tricky terrain with big climbs and longer distances is an exciting challenge. These would be your Jean Guy, Pneuma, Brothers and Flight 66.

• Fitness: Climbing Husky Road two or more times in an evening is nothing new to you and you look forward to to grind!