Grade lavels

Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular trip, including, length of day, terrain, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience.  If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please contact us.

A mountain bike (full suspension or a hardtail with suss forks) fitted with off-road knobbly tyres is required for these routes. These trips are mainly on dirt roads, forest tracks and singletrack.

• Easy : Suitable for most people in good health, these trips include only a short element of biking which is predominantly on good roads and at low altitude. Average daily distances ± 15 km (10 miles), This level of cycling is for families with small children.

• Moderate : Suitable for mountain bikers with limited off-road experience. Routes include a mix of quiet roads and forestry tracks, rocky paths and easy singletrack. Mostly flat terrain with some sloping hills possible. Paved village and countryside roads in general, some short sessions of gravel roads. Average daily distances ± 30 km (19 miles), maximum altitude difference 500 m (1600ft). This trip can be enjoyed with reasonable fitness level and little biking experience

• Intermidiate: Trips will provide a fun challenge for regular weekend bikers with reasonable off-road skills. Trips will have longish days and some technical riding including fast and narrow singletrack. Frequent sloping hills, and possibly steeper hills. Paved village and countryside roads, sometimes also gravel roads. Average daily distances ± 40 km (25 miles), maximum altitude difference 1000 m (3200ft). This level is for people with regular seasonal biking experience and reasonable biking fitness.

• Challenging : A real challenges for fit and experienced bikers. Expect long days on all types of terrain including technically demanding singletrack ascents and descents, as well as portage sections. Biking in remote areas and possibly at high altitudes, you need to be confident in your ability and fitness. Hilly terrain with some very steep hills. Besides paved village and countryside roads, frequent gravel roads, cart-tracks and single track. Average daily distances ± 50 km (42 miles), average altitude difference 1500 m (5000ft) and more. This level of cycling is for enthusiast bikers with good fitness level and regular biking frequency.

Note that none of the cycling is extreme and you do not need professional skills to enjoy our trips. Our guides have the coaching and repair skills to get you trough your experience. If you have some questions or doubts about your physical condition or adequate cycling skills do not hesitate and give us a call.