Tour Grades
Tour Difficulty
We use a simple grading system that gives an idea of the level of fitness and riding experience required for each tour. Tours that include an element of technical difficulty will have this clearly explained in the Itinerary and Features. Remember that grades are only ever an indicator, and often the trip can be customised to your ability, especially if you’re booking as a group or family. If you want to talk about your suitability for a certain trip please let us know. If you are unsure, please contact us before booking!
Grade 1 — Easy
Our easiest tours require some basic fitness and the ability to cycle for up to 4 hours per day on flat or easy, rolling terrain. Off road sections will be smooth and easy to negotiate and demand little or no previous MTB experience.
Grade 2 — Moderate
These tours demand a better standard of fitness and cycling ability, usually gained through regular exercise and cycling. There will be some hills, with a maximum daily height gain of 600m, and these tours may need you to be in the saddle for up to 6 hours per day. On MTB tours some off road experience is preferred (but not essential).
Grade 3 — Active
These tours are similar to Grade 2 but involve longer distances and/or more hills- up to a maximum daily height climb of 1000m. Road or MTB surfaces can require some competent bike handling, though for the most part these tours are still suitable for all.
Grade 4 — Challenging
These itineraries are designed for keen cyclists with a good level of fitness who can cope with full days in the saddle and over 1000m of climbing. MTB tours require good bike handling and some off road experience, although difficult obstacles can always be avoided. Suitable for most cyclists with a keen attitude and adventurous nature!
Grade 5 — Epic
These tours really do require a substantial amount of fitness and plenty of physical fitness too! We’d expect you to have been riding (and preferably training) regularly, to have good quality equipment and the skills to use it safely and effectively.
Physical Rating
Physical measures how hard a ride is on your legs and lungs: distance, climbing, duration, pace, and terrain-driven effort taken together, not any single number on its own.
Easy Pace
Short time in the saddle at a relaxed pace, with negligible climbing. Anyone comfortable riding a bike finishes without fatigue.
Steady Effort
A full riding day at a comfortable pace, with some up-and-down but nothing sustained. No real fatigue by the end.
Working Day
Sustained climbing, or a longer day at a moderate pace. Effort is clearly felt, and legs are tired by the finish.
Demanding
Steep or sustained terrain, or a day that asks for real stamina. Requires genuine base fitness, with fatigue building through the ride.
Endurance Limit
The most physically taxing day on offer: long duration, sustained exertion, or demanding terrain held for hours.
Technical Rating
Technical measures what your bike-handling has to do: the surface and trail features you'll ride, independent of how physically hard the day is.
Point and Pedal
Pavement or wide service roads. No line choice required.
Occasional Attention
Dirt roads and well-surfaced paths, with the odd loose or uneven patch. Nothing to actively navigate.
Real Singletrack
Narrow trail mixed with easier dirt or road. Minor obstacles a competent rider clears without dismounting.
Committing Singletrack
Sustained singletrack with real features: rock, tunnels, tight corners. Needs active bike-handling and some trail experience.
Expert Terrain
Steep loose terrain, slickrock, boulder gardens, freeride-style descents. Mistakes have real consequences.