Girls AllRide Rider Levels

Beginner

Rider is new to riding on singletrack (narrow trails) and doesn’t have the skills or confidence yet to ride singletrack terrain with roots, rocks and hills.

• Rider has spent time riding a bike on wide dirt or gravel paths

• Rider is able to start and stop without assistance on dirt or gravel 

• Rider is able to ride up and down hills on dirt or gravel 

• Rider is not sure if they should sit or stand on the descents

Beginner +

Rider has had a few rides on singletrack green trails and maybe some intermediate blue mellow trails.

• Rider can make it over some rocks and roots but is not sure how they did it

• Rider is using consistent controlled braking technique to stop

• Rider uses 1-2 fingers on both front and rear brakes and can control braking at speed

• Rider is using shifters but not sure how to shift into the correct gear on the climbs

• Rider is still working on standing for the downhill sections with level pedals

• Rider is not sure how to shift body position on the climbs or brace for the descents

Intermediate:

Rider is comfortable riding a variety of singletrack on green and blue trails that may include roots, rocks, tight trees, loose dirt and mud.

• Rider is comfortable rolling over smaller obstacles like roots and rocks

• Rider maintains a good ready position and looks through corners

• Rider is able to roll down small rocks, roots, and obstacles when the trail drops off using roll-down lunge or the “peek and push” technique where wheels do not leave the ground

• Rider knows how to compress suspension & utilize a front wheel lift to get over obstacles at least two inches high

• Rider understands the basic skills and body mechanics for cornering

• Rider knows when and how to shift gears 

• Rider knows when and how to shift body up climbs 

• Rider can stand up and maintain level pedals on descents and when coasting on trail

• Rider can control speed using both front and rear brakes when needed

Intermediate +:

Rider is comfortable riding a variety of singletrack and blue intermediate trails that may include tight trees, mud, loose dirt. Rider is becoming comfortable riding some black trails with more challenging terrain.

• Rider is comfortable with the fundamental mountain biking skills and is ready to progress to more advanced skills

• Rider is able to compress suspension and utilize a front wheel lift to get up obstacles up to 6 inches or more

• Rider understands and knows when to shift gears smoothly & shift body weight on the climbs to keep traction on both wheels

• Rider is comfortable and balanced standing on descents and can maintain level pedals

• Rider is comfortable rolling down roots, rocks and obstacles when the trail drops off. Rider might be ready to progress to steeper roll-downs

• Rider can make it up climbs but is still working on making it over technical sections with roots and rocks 

• Rider is ready to progress cornering technique

• Rider is getting more comfortable with speed and understands how to control speed with both front and rear brakes when needed 

• Rider is ready to work on steeper roll-downs

• Rider has begun learning how to do small drops (1-2 feet)

• Rider is ready to start working on skills for jumping technique