BRBC has hundreds of club-organized rides throughout the year. Our rides provide opportunities for all abilities and experience levels. Whether you just bought your first bike or are a seasoned veteran, we have a ride to meet your needs.
Most of our rides are road rides, but we offer gravel and mountain bike rides as well. Please be sure of the type of ride you are selecting!
Choosing the right ride for you
If you have limited cycling experience, or it’s the start of a new season you'll probably want to start at a slower pace and/or a shorter distance. Check the ride schedule on the event Calendar and choose a ride that suits you, based on the explanations below.
The pace of any road ride is heavily dependent on the amount of elevation gain over the ride’s course due to the mountainous terrain of Western North Carolina. Within our membership, there is a wide range of riding skills and capacities. Using data from more than 4,000 rides gathered from members at all skill and fitness levels, we created the Ride Classification Grid below that allows riders to use their own average pace on a ride to determine which ride levels are appropriate for them. This grid is only applicable to our road rides.
Finding your ride level is very simple. Look at your recent rides to see your pace and determine the feet per mile for each ride. If you don’t have that history, record your average pace on your next few rides, figure out the feet/mile of each ride, and look across that row of the grid to find the average pace at which you finished the ride. Scan to the top or bottom of the column to get the class of that ride. If you don’t keep that data, ask one of the people you typically ride with. You’ll find that almost all your rides will fall into just one or two classes.
To select a ride on the calendar look at the targeted pace and the feet per mile listed for the ride (or figure it out), or at the ride level if explicitly posted, and you’ll know if it’s at your level. There are eight levels with a pace range indicated for each classification at five-foot per mile intervals of climbing. The grid has been designed to strike the right balance between separation of the levels and the range of the pace within each level.
However, in addition to the pace, climbing and distance, different ride levels have a different character and dynamic, as described below. Please consider this, as well as the pace and climbing, when choosing a BRBC ride.
Ride Level Characteristics
Levels 1 & 2
These levels are intended for the fittest and most experienced riders in our Club. Many of these rides will be “drop” rides, and all riders will be expected to have excellent bike handling skills, familiarity with pacelines and experience with all types of terrain. These will often be longer rides, frequently with significant climbing. Regrouping and a rest stop are at the discretion of the ride leader, depending on the route and the distance. E-bikes are a rarity.
Levels 3 & 4
Rides at these levels can vary significantly in distance, climbing, regrouping policy and the presence of a rest stop. Rides may be either drop or no drop. Level 3 & 4 riders are fit, and are typically experienced cyclists with excellent bike handling skills. Riders may have ridden at a higher level in the past, but they may no longer be able to or be interested in the intensity, pace lines and aggressive climbing of level 1 & 2 rides. There are some e-bikes as riders try to remain with their preferred groups.
Levels 5 & 6
Rides at these levels are typically somewhat shorter than the higher levels and will usually be “no-drop”, with more frequent regrouping and a rest stop if the route permits. Climbing can be extremely variable and pace lining will be infrequent, but good bike handling skills are needed. Some rides may have a sweep. Level 5 & 6 rides are usually vigorous workouts requiring a good level of fitness, but with less intensity and more socializing than the levels above. E-bikes are a little bit more common than levels 3 & 4, as riders also try to remain at their accustomed levels.
Levels 7 & 8
Level 7 & 8 rides are the shortest and flattest BRBC rides, though both may increase as the riding season progresses. They are all no-drop and have a sweep and frequent regrouping. Riders at these levels may not be able to ride at a higher level but still want the exercise provided by road cycling. Many experienced riders remain at this level, while others may be learning group riding skills. The objective is to make all rides enjoyable for the entire group. New or returning riders are encouraged to start with a ride at these levels. E-bikes are common though they do not predominate.
E-Bike Road Rides
Class 1 and Class 3 E-Bikes are welcome on all BRBC road rides. Riders using an e-bike should be aware of our E-Bike Policy. In general terms, e-bike riders should respect the dynamics of the ride level they are on, and be capable of all bike handling skills required for a ride at that level.
E-bike only rides may also be posted at any level. These are for e-bike riders who are comfortable and familiar with group riding, bike etiquette, road safety rules, and have good descending skills, but need the assistance of an e-bike to maintain the pace or the climbing of the posted ride; or for riders who may not be comfortable riding their e-bike with non e-bikers.
Mountain Bike Rides
Area-wide Mountain Bike Rides: These rides are for those who ride off-road on single track trails and can be categorized depending on ability and comfort level as: 1) Beginner level for those new to mountain biking. 2) Novice level for those not comfortable riding trails with obstacles such as rocks, roots, sand, drop offs, step ups and water crossings. 3) Intermediate level for those experienced and comfortable riding single track trails with obstacles as listed above. 4) Advanced level for those experienced riding difficult terrain and trails rated Black Diamond. Always read the ride description to understand the intended target audience. Most rides in our area include a significant amount of climbing and of course descending and the pace depends on the terrain. Riders are expected to be self-sufficient with good bike handling skills.
Gravel Rides
Area-wide Gravel Rides: Gravel rides always include gravel sections but may also include a significant amount of pavement as well. Gravel bikes or mountain bikes are recommended for these rides. The average ride pace can vary greatly, depending on the terrain and percentage of gravel vs. pavement. Beginner gravel riders should try out a shorter “intro ride” before tackling a longer route with lots of elevation gain. The route distance is usually 10 to 35 miles. The starting location, distance, elevation gain, pace, and effort index may vary from ride to ride so be sure to read the ride description and check out the elevation profile prior to the ride.
Virtual Rides
Zwift: Want a great ride alternative to cold and/or rainy weather on ride days? Sign up for this interest group if you want to receive notices for our Zwift rides. We're just beginning to offer virtual BRBC group rides on the Zwift platform for those members that have the required equipment and software to join. Ride levels will be selected by the ride leader and may be described by wattage as well as by the ride levels above. It is up to the leader whether the ride will use the “rubber band” function to keep the riders together. We'd like to be able to offer multiple ride levels per ride, but we need members to step-up as virtual ride leaders to do so. If you are interested in leading virtual rides please contact the interest group coordinator and they will get you set-up to do so.
Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Ride
After you know your level, read the ride description to be sure it matches your assessment of your abilities. If you're unsure, contact the Ride Leader and discuss the ride and your abilities with him/her. We want you to have fun, ride safely, gain confidence, and to improve. It may seem hard at first, but don't get discouraged. If you stick with it, you'll surprise yourself with your progress. The most important part of group riding is not your speed, but that you enjoy the ride and feel comfortable at whatever level you choose.
RIDE LENGTH and PACE: Consider your current fitness level as well as your experience as you ask:
- Can I maintain the ride pace for the entire ride, remembering that the target pace means there will be faster portions?
- Do I want to ride at the target pace?
- Can I ride the listed terrain?
- Is this the right ride for me today?
DEFINITIONS: In addition to the general ride level descriptions above, the following are often seen in our ride descriptions:
- No Drop: All BRBC rides are “No-Drop” rides unless specified otherwise. The ride will regroup as needed and a sweep may be identified. However, you should not join a ride above your capacity even if listed as no-drop.
- Drop: Group will only stop due to a medical issue or at the Ride Leader's discretion to regroup. Riders should be self-sufficient.
- Regrouping: Ride Leader may regroup at pre-determined locations on the route. The frequency of regrouping will vary depending on the ride and the Ride Leader’s preference and may be found in the ride description or will be discussed at the pre-ride briefing.
We encourage riders in doubt to select an easier ride.It is unfair for riders who cannot meet the requirements of a ride to expect the other riders to wait. However it is also unfair for a rider to join a ride below their ability unless they plan to ride at the target pace on that day.
RIDER and RIDE LEADER Responsibilities
On any group ride both the rider and the Ride Leader have responsibilities. Please be aware of both.
RIDERS: All riders should read and understand the BRBC Rider’s Responsibilities. The safety of our riders and leaders is paramount. We've taken a lot of time to describe what is expected of riders and leaders to keep us all safe. If riders are unclear on any aspect of the BRBC policies, we encourage them to take responsibility and ask the Ride Leader to explain the policy. Members should not come to a ride with the intention of riding either significantly faster or slower than the target pace. Our rides are meant to be cohesive, meaning riders of fairly equal ability riding safely together on a ride designed for that level of rider. We realize that a ride is not always available for all levels, but ride leaders are encouraged to “piggyback” the same ride at multiple levels so that rides remain cohesive.
RIDE REALITIES: Our ride leaders have been trained to understand and follow the BRBC Ride Leader Responsibilities. These include riding at the target pace for the ride, following the listed ride type and the other aspects of the ride description.
Despite our best efforts, there may be groups of riders on a ride who are either faster and slower than the target pace. Thus, the support of the Ride Leader may not be available to those riders who either choose to or are unable to ride at the target pace. The primary responsibility of the Ride Leader is to those riders who ride at the target pace, since the ride was designated for that level of rider.
Ride leaders are encouraged to break up rides with more than 12 riders into multiple groups at the start for safety and to keep riders of equal abilities together. If additional ride leaders are available they will be asked to lead one of the subgroups. Among the Riders’ Responsibilities is to follow the Ride Leader’s request regarding forming groups at the start of the ride.
ROUTE DIRECTIONS AND CUE SHEET: Ride leaders will provide a link to the route on Ride with GPS (RWGPS) in the Ride Description (See example below). Members can download the route and/or cue sheet to either their smart phone or Garmin/Wahoo/etc. device. Most, but not all routes will be part of the BRBC RWGPS Club Library. The Club Library is found here. Go to RideWithGPS Instructions to join the Club Library, even if you already have a RWGPS account. If you don’t, the instructions to get one are also there.
SAMPLE RIDE DESCRIPTION Here is a sample of a Ride Description that will be found in the Calendar
