Ride Rating System

Introduction

Club rides vary in terms of terrain, pace, distance and regroups.  "The Ride Rating System" is designed to help you choose rides that fit your ability and fitness level. All riders are responsible for choosing rides for which they can maintain the designated pace for the distance and terrain specified. SRCC is a road biking club; the use of other types of bikes (e.g., hybrids, tandems, recumbents) is allowed but in general mountain bikes or "cruisers" are not appropriate as they are not suitable for the paces of our rides. Camaraderie, group cohesiveness, safety, and enjoyment are all improved when we are able to maintain the pace. Riders who cannot maintain the pace due to fitness level, the type of bike, or other limitations can attend rides, but the rider leader is not responsible for riders who cannot keep up with the designated pace.

Terrain

1. Mostly flat (River Road, Dry Creek, Stony Point, Petaluma Hill)
   
2. Rolling, easy grades (Westside Road, Eastside Road)
   
3. Moderate grades (Graton Road, Chalk Hill, Dutcher Creek)
   
4. Hilly; some steep climbs (Coleman Valley Road, Franz Valley Road, Sonoma Mountain)
   
5. Very hilly; lots of long climbs (Trinity Grade, The Geysers, Skaggs Springs Road, Cavedale)
   Club ride postings have a Ride With GPS  that provides total elevation gain and additional information on terrain.

Pace

Pace is an estimate of the average speed the ride will travel measured in miles per hour.  At any given moment the actual pace will vary depending on a number of factors such as terrain, distance, group dynamics, road conditions and whatever may happen along the way.

Our pace levels are presented in a table and a graph to help riders find their correct pace range.  A, B, C & D paces are the original ratings used by our Club.  The AA, AB, BC, & CD ranges are a more recent refinement of the original categories.  We recommend that riders conservatively choose a slower pace range to start, and then adjust as experience and common sense indicate.  Remember that appropriate pace levels can fluctuate for an individual depending on their current fitness level.

Here are two methods a rider can use to determine a pace they can maintain:

1) The Average Speed Method

Measure your average speed over an entire ride with a distance of at least 30 miles.  A measurement of average speed does not include time when you are not moving.  For example, don't include time stopped at intersections, regroups, or stops for emergencies or mechanicals.  Average speeds for an individual will be higher for a flat ride, and lower for a ride with more climbing, everything else being equal.   We have several routes you can ride to determine your average speed. [Routes to be determined]

2) The SRCC Speed Trap Method

Measure your elapsed time over the SRCC Speed Trap course, a 4.4 mile segment of Graton Road from the intersection with Ross Road in Graton to the summit at the junction of Tanuda/Facendini.  It is mostly uphill.  To get a meaningful measurement, warm up with a ride to the start.  Then ride the segment at your normal pace without drafting.  Find where your time falls in the chart below:

Pace Rating	AA	A	AB	B	BC	C	CD	D
Average Speed (mph)	8 - 10	9 - 12	11 - 14	12 - 15	14 - 17	15 - 18	17 - 20	≥ 18
Speed Trap (minutes)		>26		23 - 26		19 - 22		< 19

Distance

Distance is given in miles, provided directly from the Ride With GPS route.

Regroup

Club rides typically include regroups and stops at pre-designated spots along the route.  Examples include junctions, large pullouts, parks, coffee shops, bakeries and stores.  Regroups provide an opportunity to keep the group together, get food and water and use local amenities.  Stops and regroups are listed on the route slip or communicated by the ride leader before the ride. 

• None (no planned regroups)
  
• Occasional (ride leader will determine)
  
• Frequent (ride leader will determine)
  
• Stay-together (group rides together over the entire route)
  

Examples of Using the Ride Rating System

Terrain/Pace/Miles/Regroup
4/D/58/None	A hilly ride at a D pace; 58 miles with no regroups
1/AA/25/Frequent	A flat ride at an AA pace; 25 miles with frequent regroups
3/B/41/Occasional	A ride with moderate grades at a B pace; 41 miles with occasional regroups
3/A/37/Frequent	A ride with moderate grades at an A pace; 37 miles with frequent regroups
2/B/40/Stay-together	A ride with easy, rolling terrain at a B pace; 40 miles with the group staying together
2/CD/25/None	A ride with easy, rolling terrain at a CD pace; 25 miles with no regroups