When determining the difficulty of our tours we are considering the following elements: Elevation gain, technical descending, surface conditions, time in the saddle, and exposure to the elements.
Elevation Gain. More climbing = more difficult. Pretty simple. However, more climbing often means more descending, so fitness and good bike handling skills are both critical.
Surface Conditions. Since we are aiming to be off-the-beaten-path as much as possible, road surface conditions matter. Some gravel is packed hard and rolls as fast as asphalt. Some is ankle deep washboard that has you swerving all over the place to try and maintain momentum - we call that stuff “groadus horriblus”. Sometimes you can experience all of that and more within just a few kilometres on the road you are on.
Time Pedaling. Length of day in the saddle is important to us. Riding on gravel is a lot slower than asphalt and takes more effort so we build our trips around the idea of a 15kph average speed. A 3-5hr day roughs out to about 45-75kms of riding. We want to ensure you have time to stop along the way and cool off in a mountain stream, snap photographs of the beautiful landscapes you’re traversing, and enjoy your lunch while admiring a gorgeous view.
Exposure. Some of our routes ‘expose’ us to high mountain riding and/or remote vehicle-free forest roads in the backcountry. Often in Alberta there is not a lot of shade to be found in many places we explore and the sun can feel very hot at higher elevations too. Cycling in the Alberta is epic not only for the views but also because the weather can change at a moments notice. It is not uncommon to get hit by a hail storm or even a bit of snow, even at the height of the summer. Our 4-star and 5-star trips take us into vehicle-free zones that are gorgeous but also more exposed due to their remote nature.
4 and 5-Stars - Advanced
Difficult sections, suitable for experienced and strong riders who enjoy some “Type 2” fun, previous multi-day bike touring and or gravel experience. Capable of riding 3-5hrs per day with 500-1000+ metres per day, comfortable adventuring in the backcountry and being out of cell service at times. Majority of routes are gravel with some pavement sections.
3-Stars - Intermediate
Moderate difficulty, good base level fitness required, capable of riding 3-4hrs per day at an average of 15-20kph on gravel, some steeper sections that may require walking. These routes usually have a mix of pavement with some gravel.
1 and 2 Stars - Beginner
Your first bike tour, decent fitness and a sense of adventure required, willingness to push yourself, and explore new places.