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SKILLS & FITNESS
RATING SYSTEM

Setting you up for success starts with understanding exactly what kind of adventure you are getting yourself into.
We've developed a Skill and Fitness Rating System so you can easily comprehend what to expect on any given ride with Roam.
SKILLS RATN

SKILLS RATINGS

Skills are based on your riding ability NOT trail classification. Just because you've ridden a blue "intermediate" trail does not qualify you as a Skill Level 4 Intermediate rider. 

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SKILL LEVEL 1 - TOTES A NEWBIE
You've never ridden a mountain bike on an actual dirt trail before.

You can execute:

  • Staying upright while pedaling.

 

SKILL LEVEL 2 - NOVICE

You have ridden mountain bikes on dirt trails a few times, but mostly everything about riding these contraptions is still a mystery...but you're game to learn!

You can execute:

  • Skill Level 1

  • One finger braking on both the front (left) and rear (right) brakes

  • Riding with 50/50 pedals while not pedaling (pedals are "flat" or parallel to the ground)

  • Pushing the shifter thingy...but being in the right gear might need some work still.

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SKILL LEVEL 3 - STRONG NOVICE

You're stoked on singletrack, but working on those skills all the cool kids are doing. You enjoy mellow smooth trails, but sometimes climbs come out of friggin' nowhere and you forget to shift, or those rocks get a little cray cray and you prefer to walk-it-out. You are still not comfortable riding roots, rocks, switchbacks, and the steep stuff...and drops or jumps? Oh hell no girl. 

You can execute:

  • Skill Level 2

  • Controlled braking at speed

  • Riding while STANDING and being able to coast with 50/50 pedals

  • Can get over small rocks, roots, and obstacles...but you're not sure how you're doing it.

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SKILL LEVEL 4 - INTERMEDIATE

Mountain biking has started to become your "thing" and you ride fairly regularly. You are starting to get the hang of shifting, pedaling through more technical features, making it up shorter climbs, and getting just a little rowdy going down hill....although you prefer keeping your wheels on the ground

You can execute:

  • Skill Level 3

  • Controlled braking at faster speeds

  • Shifting - you anticipate terrain and can shift accordingly

  • Standing - you're balanced and comfortable standing up with 50/50 pedals and can maintain level pedals during a descent. 

  • Compressing your suspension to get over small (a couple inches high) obstacles

  • Confidence rolling over obstacles  (rocks, logs, drops in terrain)

  • Using a dropper post to get that seat the HECK OUTTA YOUR WAY!

  • Wider switchbacks and turns that aren't too steep

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SKILL LEVEL 5 -  STRONG INTERMEDIATE

You're confident riding green and most blue trails and willing to dabble in black trails, although you're positive you'll be walking a few technical bits.  You can comfortably use your front and back brakes when different braking pressure is required (i.e. switchbacks, steeper sections of trail), and your wheels even leave the ground on occasion! 

You can execute:

  • Skill Level 4

  • Controlled front braking independent from rear braking and vise versa

  • Anticipating changes in terrain and shifting smoothly and often

  • Front wheel lifts to get wheel up or over an obstacles or down drops in terrain

  • Letting go of the brakes and standing on 50/50 pedals on descents, & maintaining speed as long as you can see what's ahead of you.

  • Trail scanning and cornering techniques such as looking through turns, although you still feel and maybe look awkward AF trying to corner any faster than a tortoise.  

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SKILL LEVEL 6 -  ADVANCED
Expert trails and technical terrain? Let's do this. You feel confident braking, using momentum to crush terrain, and are comfortable shifting and using that seat post dropper all dang day. You can shred through tight trees, loose dirt, snaggly rock gardens, and twisty turns, all while lookin' and feelin' good. Oh and descents? Bring it!

You can execute:

  • Skill Level 5

  • You are confident in your handling skills on a variety of singletrack

  • You can shift your bodyweight to keep traction on steep climbs, and climbing technical terrain is totally in your bag of tricks. 

  • Berms? Braaaap! Timing and coordination through berms and tight turns is dialed, and you are comfortable with bike-body separation to keep speed and momentum through the exit. 

  • Confidence on fast or steep descents with a little air time on small jumps and drops

  • You are comfortable with wheels leaving the ground, just for a lil' bit.

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SKILL LEVEL 7 - EXPERT 
You eat trail for breakfast. You are comfortable riding black trails and aggressive terrain with complete control over your speed and your bike. You rarely walk on descents, and can hop or wheel lift over larger obstacles that are not rollable. Slow tech. Fast tech. You want all the tech. 

You can execute:

  • Skill Level 6

  • Confidently riding all green, blue, black, and double black trails

  • Climbing technical "bitchy" climbs and switchbacks are easy peasy

  • Clearing table top jumps, large drops (over 4 feet), and all the sketchiness the trail has for you.

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SKILL LEVEL 8 - PRO

You literally ride professionally on a mountain bike. Congratulations...we have beer and extra bacon since you're probably broke and hungry.

FITNESS RATINGS

FITNESS LEVEL 1 - REALLY CUTE TURTLE! 

  • You gotta start somewhere

  • Exercising, including riding a bike, for more than a half hour is daunting

  • Climbing a hill on a bike? Hell. No.  

 

FITNESS LEVEL 2 - LIL' MOUSE

  • You can handle shorter rides (less than an hour) on easy flat terrain

  • Short hills are no small feat, but you can make it up if you try.

  • You mountain bike or get out for moderate exercise a few times a month.

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FITNESS LEVEL 3 - SQUIRREL

  • You can ride a green or blue trail for about two hours at a chill pace, with couple of stops.

  • 3 days of riding is a tall order, but you're up for it - you'll just need to go on shorter rides and enjoy more downtime off the bike. 

  • You can handle short bursts of climbing, anything over 500 vertical ft total is pushing your limits.

  • You mountain bike a few times a month

  • You exercise an average of two hours a week. 

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FITNESS LEVEL 4 - FOX

  • You can ride green and blue trails multiple days in a row at a chill pace for an average of 2-3 hours.

  • Climbs aren't so bad, and you can handle up to 800 vertical feet in a single ride. 

  • You mountain bike or do a similarly exertive activity once or twice a week

  • You exercise an average of three hours a week.

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FITNESS LEVEL 5 - MONGOLIAN WILD ASS

  • You can ride blue trails multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 2-3 hours.

  • Climbs are part of riding and you can handle up to 1,000 feet in a single ride. 

  • You mountain bike or do a similarly exertive activity two or more times a week

  • You exercise an average of three to four hours a week.

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FITNESS LEVEL 6 - WILDEBEEST

  • You can ride blue trails multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours.

  • You could do one day of riding for 5-6 hours, but it would be pushing your fun-factor.

  • You might actually be starting to like climbing, and can handle 1,500 feet in a single ride. 

  • You mountain bike or do a similarly exertive activity two or more times a week

  • You exercise an average of four to five hours a week.

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FITNESS LEVEL 7 - WOLF

  • You can ride blue trails multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours and could add a 5 -6 hour ride into the mix. 

  • Riding a black trail at moderate pace for 2-3 hours is within your fitness range.

  • Climbing is no problemo and you can handle 2,000 vertical feet in a single ride. 

  • You mountain bike or do a similarly exertive activity three or more times a week

  • You exercise an average of five to six hours a week.

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FITNESS LEVEL 8 - MOUNTAIN GOAT

  • You can ride multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours and could add a 6+ hour ride into the mix if the opportunity arose.

  • You're part mountain goat and can climb 3,000 vertical feet in a single ride. 

  • You mountain bike or do a similarly exertive activity three or more times a week

  • You exercise an average of six or more hours a week.

  • Your exercise routine includes dedicated climbing and endurance training. 

FITNESS RATING
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