DESCRIPTORS FOR KVC RIDES AND TOURS - Revised 2014-03-22
Hal Cain, Tour Director
Ride/Touring Paces
These are the cycling speed ranges (pace) for rides/tours. Each rider, as part of the organized
group, is expected to ride within the given cycling pace range established for any given tour -except in cases where there are wind or terrain factors that may temporarily slow or increase the
pace. The reason for these pace categories is to help ensure that everyone who is considering
participating, and those who are actually on the ride, will know what to expect. Equally
important, this pace range helps with organizing timeframes and other planning before and
during the ride or tour.
 Fast = 30 kph +
 Quick = 25 kph to 29 kph
 Moderate = 19 kph to 24 kph
 Leisure = 14 kph to 18 kph
 Slow = 13 kph or less
 No set pace (NSP): riders cycle at their own pace
Terrain
These ride/tour descriptors (terms and phrases) give a rider an overall indication of any
climbs/descents as well as the type of road or trail surfaces to expect. In some cases, the route of
a ride/tour may use several descriptors of the terrain. This information can be used by individual
riders to help determine personal fitness needed for a given ride/tour and selection of
bicycle/equipment.
 Mostly Flat –No noticeable elevation change.
 Gentle Grades – Noticeable elevation changes without distinct climbs that require only
slightly lower gearing and/or some increase in pedalling power.
 Rolling Hill(s) – Elevation changes that may require use of lower gears and/or increase in
pedalling power with descents where some speed is increased without pedalling.
 Steep Hill(s) – Climbs requiring use of lowest gears and/or marked increase in pedalling
power and use of breaking on descents.
 Big Climbs! – Long climbs, not necessarily steep, with significant elevation changes
using lowest gears.
 Paved Road – Pavement (asphalt, concrete) roadway surfaces.
 Gravel Road – Roadway with a gravel surface with either dirt or pavement as base.
 Dirt Road – Unpaved dirt roadway surfaces.
 Paved Pathway – Off-road path or trail with paved surface designed for bicycle use.
 Unpaved Pathway – Off-road path or trail with packed stone-dust, fine gravel, or packed
dirt surface designed for bicycle use.
 Trail – Unpaved off-road path, including single-track trail, with potential obstacles and
uneven surfaces.
Level of Difficulty
How difficult, or easy, any particular ride/tour may be depends on many factors and is largely
subjective to an individual’s experience, skills, and physical ability. That being said, there are
some general “rules” that apply to estimate how difficult a ride/tour may be. Distance, pace, and
terrain are generally accepted as parts of cycling difficulty. The longer, the faster, and the steeper
and/or more rugged; the more difficult the cycling – for anyone. Based on the these factors, as
described in the Calendar, the following is additional information that may help individuals
determine if a particular ride/tour is appropriate for them.
 Easy
-- Rides/Tours that have a Slow or Leisure pace on Mostly Flat to Gentle
Grades and maybe some Rolling Hills. Roads or pathways that are paved or hard packed
surfaces, and distances usually not more than 40 kilometers. Often there are more stops
for breaks on these rides. Most persons, with or without cycling experience, who have a
reasonable fitness level, can reasonably cycle on these tours.
 Moderate
-- Rides/Tours typically with a Moderate pace, distances between 50
kilometers and 100 kilometers per day, and/or Rolling Hills, and/or off-road unpaved
pathways and trails. Shorter and slower rides/tours can be moderately difficult due to
surface conditions and climbs; such as those requiring mountain bikes for single-track
trails. Slightly longer road rides/tours without appreciable climbing and several rest
breaks may also be classified as Moderate. Riders need to have an overall good physical
fitness level and stamina and some cycling experience.
 Challenging
-- Rides/Tours typically at a Quick or Fast pace, often over
longer distances, and/or terrain with steep or long climbs. May also include multi-day
tours at a moderate pace where endurance over longer periods of time is required. Shorter
rides may also be challenging due to sustained fast pace and/or rough terrain (as in MTB
rides). For this level of cycling level classification, riders need to have good personal
fitness and stamina, along with cycling experience.
Some of the other issues that factor in to cycling difficulty include weather conditions (e.g.,
wind, temperature, and precipitation) and bicycle/equipment (i.e., best style, fit, and adjustment
of bicycle and right gears, tires, etc. for the type of tour). In addition, personal factors such as
overall physical fitness, physical and mental health on any given tour/ride day, and individual
cycling skills (e.g., cycling technique, proper use of gearing, bike handling on the road/trail)
affect cycling difficulty.
Less experienced riders may not realize their own abilities and limitations. Someone new to
cycling may think riding 40 kilometers is a very long way while another less experienced rider
may over estimate his or her abilities and think 80 kilometers “should” be easy. Could be that
both these new to cycling riders are correct about their abilities, but they could both be wrong
too. If not sure about the difficulty of a particular ride or tour, contact the ride organizer or leader
for more information. Don’t be shy about discussing any concerns regarding your cycling ability.