SKILL AND FITNESS RATING SYSTEM
Ensuring our Riders are matched with adventures appropriate for their experience, skill level, fitness level, and interests, is of utmost importance to us.
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We ask every Rider to review the Skill and Fitness Rating System below, to ensure they’re confident executing the set skill and fitness required for the particular Ride they’re interested in joining. If you are unsure if a particular Ride is right for you, please contact us at info@mtbitalyexperience.com with any questions as we’re always excited to chat mountain biking!
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Our Rides will have a maximum of 8 Riders per group, with 1 Guide. It is expected that in any group of similar skilled Riders, there will always be the fittest rider or the most skilled rider, and subsequently, there is always the opposite, within reason of course in a similar skilled group. We ask all of our Riders to understand our adventures are designed as a group ride, not a race, nor a private guided experience.
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Fitness Levels
Level 1
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You typically do not ride for more than 30 minutes on flat terrain continuously, and you find the thought of climbing elevation daunting.
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You exercise less than 1 hour per week
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Level 2
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You can ride a bike for 1 hour on flat terrain at a relaxed pace.
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The thought of riding for multiple consecutive days is daunting
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Small, short hills are a challenge for you to climb but are often manageable.
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Level 3
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You are capable of pedaling a bike for 2 hours in a day at a relaxed pace, but require occasional breaks
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You are able to ride for 2 0r 3 days with no more than 2 hours of pedal time at a relaxed pace.
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One or two relaxed climbs of up to a total of 150 meters are possible for you to pedal.
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You exercise for an average o 2 hours per week (including riding a mountain bike.
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Level 4
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You are capable of riding for multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day, with an added day of 5 hours if necessary
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You can handle moderately steep climbs of up to a total of 500 vertical meters in a day
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You exercise on average 5 hours per week with a regime that includes a combination of endurance (like riding a bike) and strength training.
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Level 5
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You are capable of riding for multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day, with an added day of 6 hours if necessary
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You have little trouble climbing 1000 meters of steep terrain in a day.
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You exercise on average 6-10 hours per week with a regime that includes a combination of endurance (like riding a bike) and strength training.
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Level 6
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You are capable of riding for multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day, with an added day of 6 hours if necessary
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You can handle steep, sustained climbs of 1500 meters in a day.
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You exercise over10 hours per week with a regime that includes a combination of endurance (like riding a bike) and strength training.
Skill Levels
Beginner
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You're into riding off-road on wide dirt or gravel roads or doubletrack trails, but don't yet have the skills or the confidence to ride terrain with roots, rocks, tight corners, tight trees and steep sections.
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Intermediate
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Your dedication to mountain biking has led you to your first handful of rides on real singletrack. You enjoy the smooth mellow singletrack, although you may find the trails are too narrow, the climbs come too quick to shift and often have you walking, and the obstacles have you a bit concerned
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Strong Intermediate
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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.
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You are comfortable and confident rolling over small obstacles like roots, rocks, and small rollable drops. You do not yet feel comfortable taking your wheels off the ground.
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If you have ridden a bike park, you are comfortable on all green trails and some blue trails. You roll over obstacles with ease, although keep both wheels on the ground at all times.
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Shifting - you anticipate the terrain and shift gears accordingly.
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Descending - you are comfortable and balanced standing up off of your seat and can maintain level pedals for the entire descent.
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Speed Control and Braking - you use momentum to climb rolling terrain and are comfortable using both your front and back brakes when required.
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Advanced
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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 and at higher speeds.
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You are comfortable and confident with a front-wheel lift to get up and over larger obstacles (up to 6 inches) such as roots and rocks that are not rollable, and use the ratcheting method of pedalling to clear your bottom bracket and rear wheel over the obstacle.
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If you have ridden a bike park, you are comfortable on all green trails and blue trails and have dabbled in some black trails though they may leave you walking several technical sections.
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You are confident and successful in executing the following bike handling skills on a variety of singletrack:
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Shifting - you anticipate hills by shifting gears smoothly.
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Climbing - you shift your body weight 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.
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Descending - you are comfortable and balanced standing up off of your seat and can maintain level pedals for the entire descent. You are comfortable with speed and letting go of your brakes as long as you can see the exit or end of the descent.
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Speed Control and Braking - you use momentum to climb rolling terrain and are comfortable using both your front and back brakes when required.
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Cornering - you understand effective cornering techniques although may still need to work on your timing and coordination.
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Expert
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You made it. You could teach us a thing or two probably
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