This rating system is only a guideline and an attempt to ensure riders are matched with adventures best suited to their experience, skill level, fitness level, and interests.
SKILL RATINGS
SKILL LEVEL 1 – NEWBIE
You’ve never ridden a mountain bike before.
SKILL LEVEL 2 – BEGINNER
You have limited experience with off-road trail riding.
SKILL LEVEL 3 – NOVICE
You’re hooked on riding off-road and wide dirt trails (atv trails or doubletrack), but still lack the skills and confidence to consistently ride terrain with roots, rocks, tight corners, tight trees and steeps. Singletrack – what is singletrack?
SKILL LEVEL 4 – STRONG NOVICE
Your dedication to mountain biking has led you to your first handful of rides on real singletrack. You enjoy smooth mellow singletrack, although often the trees feel too tight, the climbs come too quick to shift and have you walking, and the obstacles have you a bit surprised as you did not even know people ride right over logs!
SKILL LEVEL 5 – INTERMEDIATE
At a controlled speed and on mellow singletrack terrain, you are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand. You are comfortable and confident rolling over small obstacles (a couple inches high) like roots, rocks and small rollable drops (a couple inches high). On rare occasions you take your wheels off the ground intentionally. You are now becoming comfortable in anticipating terrain and shift gears accordingly and you are comfortable using both front and rear brakes when required.
SKILL LEVEL 6 – STRONG INTERMEDIATE
You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on more challenging terrain. You are comfortable and confident with a front wheel lift and rear wheel lift to get up and over larger obstacles (up to 6 inches) such as roots and rocks that are not rollable. When climbing you shift your bodyweight forward in efforts to keep traction on your front wheel. Climbing is typically successful, unless technical roots, rocks or corners have you walking a short section. You are comfortable with speed and letting go of your brakes as long as you can see the exit or end of the descent. You are also now grasping effective cornering techniques although still need to work on your timing and coordination.
SKILL LEVEL 7 – ADVANCED
You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on aggressive terrain with little braking. You can hop over obstacles such as small roots and rocks that less advanced riders may wheel lift over. You use the brakes sparingly, and are open to taking some air off little rocks and roots. Your timing and coordination on all types of berms is solid. You are comfortable leaning your bike through the corner and exit with acceleration.
SKILL LEVEL 8 – EXPERT
You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on aggressive terrain with little braking. You rarely, if ever, walk. Small drops are no issue for you and you are comfortable with having both wheels leave the ground. Climbing technical roots, rocks and switchbacks are no issue for you. You use the brakes sparingly and air off of every rock, root and drop you can find. Your timing and coordination on all types of berms, switchbacks and corners is solid. You are comfortable leaning your bike through fast corners and exit with acceleration.
SKILL LEVEL 9 – PRO
You are a mountain bike god/goddess. You can handle the most technical terrain imaginable, eat up steeps for breakfast and can hit all the gaps, drops and jumps any trail throws at you.
FITNESS RATINGS
FITNESS LEVEL 1
You are a couch potato.
You cannot ride for more than half an hour on flat terrain at a time, and the thought of climbing on a bike is daunting.
You exercise less than 1 hour per week.
FITNESS LEVEL 2
You live a fairly inactive life with little physical activity other than walking.
You can handle a 1-hour bike ride on flat terrain at a relaxed pace.
Small, short hills are challenging to climb, but are sometimes manageable.
You exercise on average 1 hour per week (including riding a mountain bike).
FITNESS LEVEL 3
You are capable of 2 hours of pedal time in a day at a relaxed pace, as long as there are several breaks.
You can handle one or two easy climbs of up to 330 vertical feet (150 m) total.
You exercise on average 2 hours per week (including riding a mountain bike).
FITNESS LEVEL 4
You are capable of climbing up to 650 vertical feet (200 m) in a day.
You exercise on average 3 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 5
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 2-3 hours of pedal time each day.
You are confident climbing up to a total of 1,000 vertical feet (300 m) in a day.
You exercise on average 4 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 6
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You can handle moderately steep climbs of up to a total of 1,650 vertical feet (500 m) in a day.
You exercise on average 5 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 7
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You can handle moderate climbs up to 2,450 vertical feet (750 m) total in a day.
You exercise on average 6 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 8
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You have little trouble climbing 3,280 vertical feet (1,000 m) in a day on moderate to steep terrain..
You exercise on average 6-10 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 9
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You can handle steep, sustained climbs of up to 4,920 vertical feet (1,500 m) in a day.
You exercise over 10-hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
Note credit for Skill and Fitness Levels detail definitions are as provided by and are based on those as presented and listed by SacredRides.com definitions.