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Ride Categories

Here is a list of the ride categories used by the club. The average speed listed represents an overall average for the ride. This includes stops, hills, bridges, etc. This means that the actual riding speed on flat terrain will tend to be 2-3 mph higher than the overall average speed. The average speed will also be affected by the number and difficulty of hills on the route.
New riders should be aware that the average ride speeds have a tendency to creep higher as the riding season goes on and everyone gets in shape! Generally, we recommend that new riders consider starting with a category slightly below where they think they might be. This will give you a chance to get acclimated to the dynamics of riding with the group without over extending yourself on the first ride. You can then move up through the categories until you find the level that is right for you.

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Road Ride Categories

Category Description
AX

30-100 miles, any terrain, 18-27 mph average speed
A

30-100 miles, any terrain, 16-18 mph average speed
B

30-80 miles, any terrain, 14-16 mph average speed
C+

20-40 miles, some hills, 13-14 mph average speed
C

15-40 miles, few hills, 11-13 mph average speed
D

10-25 miles, mostly flat, 8-11 mph average speed

Mountain Bike Ride Categories

Category Description
AX

Expert, technical single-track, long and steep hills, big rocks, roots, logs, drop-offs; extreme terrain, but rideable.
A

Advanced, technical trails, but not so extreme as AX.
B+

Intermediate/advanced - mixed technical single-track, smooth single-track and fire roads; hills can still be long and steep.
B

Intermediate - single-track and fire roads; still got those hills, but less of the rocks and technical stuff. Fun.
C+

Beginner/intermediate - smooth and rolling single-track and fire-roads, few roots and rocks.
C

Beginner - relatively flat, smooth single-track or dirt road; a little bit of logs, maybe some roots.
D

Unpaved, but generally smooth and flat; suitable for hybrid bikes.