Rating skill level

[skippy]

At what point does one decide they are no longer a "novice" or a "beginner" and move into the "intermediate" category? If I can complete a 10 mile ride in 1.5hrs without throwing up, does this qualify as "intermediate"?

I would just like to be able to qualify my skill level in some way... I had considered myself a pretty low skill newbie, but I recently rode with a group of experienced riders and held my own pretty well....

This is always an active topic. I for one dont much care for labels, but we must catorgarise somehow.

Finishing a ride of 10 miles in 1.5hours is more of a fitness level test. MTB is sometimes more about stamina and duration of ride. If you can stand to be at 60%-90% of your best speed for a 3 hour ride, with some stops, that is intermediate for the folks you will ride with from this site. (PK excluded).

Due to the variety of terrain conditions it is usuall that group riders will find themselves moving within the pack dependent on their strengths. If you find yourself in the middle most of the time on a group ride, then you are probably an intermediate.

bill

[hogboy]

rate by how much you clog up the people behind
you. all zeros, most of the time, you are intermediate

above intermediate, rate by how much
you lead without getting passed

[Quo Fan]

I equate skill with the ability to do something. I may not be able to hang with the "fast" riders, but I can clean most rock gardens. I consider my bike handling skills as intermediate, but having beginner wind. I'm not able to ride as much as some people here, but when I ride, I always try to do a little better than the last time I rode.

[skippy]

Yeah... I guess the whole skill level thing brings up a lot of questions. Technical skill vs stamina, etc.

I'll just keep riding and not worry too much about my "skill level"...

[nhiker]

I equate skill with the ability to do something. I may not be able to hang with the "fast" riders, but I can clean most rock gardens. I consider my bike handling skills as intermediate, but having beginner wind. I'm not able to ride as much as some people here, but when I ride, I always try to do a little better than the last time I rode.


Yeah I agree with Quo and Bill here. I equote bike skills with ability to handle the bike thru technical stuff ie: Rock gardens, log rolls, drops and the like. If it based entirely on speed I suck! ::) But based on my ability to ride technical stuff ...I am intermidiate ...whatever that really means. I am competeing with myself only. I love to ride and push myself. Yet in a pack on the speed sections I stay in the back. In the technical sections I hold my own. So I keep riding ;D

[Superb Man]

I think the jump from newbie to mountain biker comes when you experience challenging or hilly terrain differently--more specifically, when it stops seeming like a white-knuckle drag and actually feels fun. I remember I used to dread long climbs, then I came to see them as necessary evils to get to the fun stuff--but the real jump in my ability came when I started to love climbing and craved a technical uphill challenge---your feeelings and perception towards a certain riding terrain reflect your ability level.

Also, when you feel like you can ride with anyone without having to apologize for laqck of skill---doesn't mean you're top of any group--it's just you have the confidence to go out andf ride with a group of strangers and know you'll have fun no matter the general skill level.

All in all, Biking resists the 'level' classifications of the ski industry because, even on the hardest terrain, an intermediate ccan hop off the bike and run/walk the nasty stuff, quickly get back on and hang/enjoy the whole ride...not really possibly sliding down an icy 45 degree chute at Alta.--So let level of fun and confidence be your bike-skill-o-meter.

[rigidhack]

I tend to rate myself as a complete hack, then if I do something good, it is a big surprise to everybody. :) On the other hand, I'm sort of pre-approved to screw up -which I do lots. ;D

[Jisch]

I've always struggled with this myself. I'm slower than racers, faster than recreational riders. Its not really an issue for me, but some folks get really wrapped around the axle when they find they are on a ride that is either too fast or too slow for them. I've been on rides where a "racer guy" joined our ride, his incessant b!tching about the 3 or 4 breaks we took was very annoying. I've also been on rides where a relative newbie came along, and their constant apologies for slowing the ride down were equally annoying.

I love to ride, if I have to go slow - no biggie, if I slow the ride down, if everyone else is ok, then I'm ok. If not, riding solo is not an issue for me.

I find that there is a large range between "beginning intermediate" and "advanced intermediate". As others have pointed out, there are three aspects of rating - speed, endurance and technical ability. I think I have intermediate speed, advanced edurance and tech skills. Which means I end up passing/being passed often on rides.

John

[PutAwayWet]

IMHO, I find that the best way to 'rate' yourself as a rider is to ride with as many different people as you can. Not only will you have other riders by which to guage your skill level, but you will undoubtedly encounter riders who are better than you are. I love riding with people better than me, because it helps me learn and pushes me to become a better rider. I'd say I'm pretty intermediate all the way around, with a couple 'advanced' leanings on certain things and a couple 'not so advanced' leanings on others :)

[jerseygirl]

There is only one person I compete with -- me. If I do better than my last ride, I'm happy. And while it's great to measure ability, the main thing is to red-line the fun meter.

[gnurider1080]

i just call myself advanced intermediate. i can ride difficult trails but theres always room for improvement.

[vinnycactus]

what's all this about rating skill level. who cares. if anyone ever wants to ride with me feel free. whether you're a xc racer, downhill racer, freerider, ride a unicycle, still use training wheels come out and ride. i don't care. the people i ride with don't care. if you go on a ride and and the people don't comfort you enough that what ever skill level you have is fine, then you don't need to ride with them.

[slapheadmofo]

I think I'd call myself an 'experienced' rider. Doesn't mean I'm necessarily good, just that I've been at it for awhile. :)

As was said before, it's really good to get out and ride with different people. The more people you ride with, the better idea you'll have of what your strong points are, and you'll also likely either learn something new or show something new to someone else, whether it's a technique, a new trail or different route, or even how to do some sort of arcane Trail-Gyver fix on a derailleur using an acorn and a discarded beer can.
It's all very progressive you see.

[huff'npuff]

I KNOW MY LEVEL............................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ... pedestrian.*sigh*

but I have been getting out more since the 'nam ride. Someday I might be able to join a ride and not embarass myself. ::)

[Jisch]

what's all this about rating skill level. who cares.

I agree with you 100%, however I've found when I am going to ride with someone new, the topic often comes up. That's the only time I "care". Its good to have a point of reference.

John

[slapheadmofo]

what's all this about rating skill level. who cares.

I agree with you 100%, however I've found when I am going to ride with someone new, the topic often comes up. That's the only time I "care". Its good to have a point of reference.

John


True. I go on a fair amount of rides that can be fun for almost anyone, regardless of skill level or style of riding, but then there are some rides where certain levels/styles don't work. XC hammerheads would be bored out of their minds hanging around while we session our shuttle run, hardcore freeriders would be miserable on a 6 hour point to point hilly death march.
If you're posting a ride that might not work for a certain level or style, you should try to describe it well enough so people can make an informed decision of whether it's up their alley or not. I think there are too many variables to strictly say 'intermediate' or 'advanced', etc. "Five hours, race pace, no rest stops, all uphill on broken glass and loose shale" or something like that.

[Jisch]

what's all this about rating skill level. who cares.

I agree with you 100%, however I've found when I am going to ride with someone new, the topic often comes up. That's the only time I "care". Its good to have a point of reference.


John


True. I go on a fair amount of rides that can be fun for almost anyone, regardless of skill level or style of riding, but then there are some rides where certain levels/styles don't work. XC hammerheads would be bored out of their minds hanging around while we session our shuttle run, hardcore freeriders would be miserable on a 6 hour point to point hilly death march.
If you're posting a ride that might not work for a certain level or style, you should try to describe it well enough so people can make an informed decision of whether it's up their alley or not. I think there are too many variables to strictly say 'intermediate' or 'advanced', etc. "Five hours, race pace, no rest stops, all uphill on broken glass and loose shale" or something like that.


Exactly.

[hammerhead]

Sounds like a great ride. When and Where?

Five hours, race pace, no rest stops, all uphill on broken glass, roots and loose shale in the rain only, sunshine cancels" or something like that.


By the description Liam must be leading it?

H.

[vinnycactus]

what's all this about rating skill level. who cares.

I agree with you 100%, however I've found when I am going to ride with someone new, the topic often comes up. That's the only time I "care". Its good to have a point of reference.


John


True. I go on a fair amount of rides that can be fun for almost anyone, regardless of skill level or style of riding, but then there are some rides where certain levels/styles don't work. XC hammerheads would be bored out of their minds hanging around while we session our shuttle run, hardcore freeriders would be miserable on a 6 hour point to point hilly death march.
If you're posting a ride that might not work for a certain level or style, you should try to describe it well enough so people can make an informed decision of whether it's up their alley or not. I think there are too many variables to strictly say 'intermediate' or 'advanced', etc. "Five hours, race pace, no rest stops, all uphill on broken glass and loose shale" or something like that.


Exactly.


Exactly as well. Thats why usually when I post a ride I include the "big bikes slow pace" disclaimer. i'm just a pretty easy going guy with riding with people. i'll ride with anyone if they want to tag along or if they don't mind me tagging along. that brings me to my final Nam ride on the 26th. how come no one's coming? yeah it may not be an xc ride or a complete huckfest. more of an aggresive trailride with stops for me to reminice (sp?) and to ride with as many new englanders as possible. come on out everyone, enjoy my last ride with me here in new england.

sorry for the derailment. continue on............

[kernel crash]

"how come no one's coming?"

I may be coming. Just throw out a reminder as we get closer.

[keram]

having raced some EFTA races I think that difference between novice and sport/expert is nothing more than endurance. Last race I did I was OK with almost 2 hours @165bmp but not sure if I could go for another lap. So get on the road bike/trainer and put these hours in...

[comtom1]

Skill level whats that i consider myself very lucky to ride and to have such good friends to help out and watch out for me on the trails.
My thinking on this whole matter is the less i take my bike for a walk, and the more i stay in the upright position then i must be either getting better or haveing more LUCK. But whitch ever the case just remember one thing this is the only sport that i have ever done that noone looks down on you because you cant do a certian part and everyone is egar to help when you ask.

[Body2Big]

I completely agree Tom. You guys have been great in helping me and my wife. even though we walked more than we rode in borderland everyone was OK with it.

Shawn

[CsharpDev]

my skill level is "Needs Improvement" ???
I don't have the endurance for XC, and hills kill me... I can do decent on technical down hills... up hill I tend to hike too much... as level of exhaustion increases level of skill decreases... :(

I'd say I'm a beginner, but for some reason I don't think Lynn Woods is quite beginner... oh well it's fun I just need some armor...

[SloMoJo]

Skills .... Smills ....

I used to be an intermediate, but with considerable practice riding with others I have moved back to beginner. ;)

[MrsCouch]

"Five hours, race pace, no rest stops, all uphill on broken glass and loose shale" or something like that.


Hey - that sounds like a Couch/PK ride description... ;D

[slapheadmofo]

"Five hours, race pace, no rest stops, all uphill on broken glass and loose shale" or something like that.


Hey - that sounds like a Couch/PK ride description... ;D


It does sorta don't it? ;)
I liked where hammerhead added "sunshine cancels"

;D Funny stuff...

[TrailBate]

I'm an expert. But a really sucky one. ;)

[minkhiller]

IMHO, I find that the best way to 'rate' yourself as a rider is to ride with as many different people as you can. Not only will you have other riders by which to guage your skill level, but you will undoubtedly encounter riders who are better than you are. I love riding with people better than me, because it helps me learn and pushes me to become a better rider. I'd say I'm pretty intermediate all the way around, with a couple 'advanced' leanings on certain things and a couple 'not so advanced' leanings on others :)
Yeah ok, sandbagger. ::)

[skippy]

With the amount I have been working and the weather not cooperating, I'm never going to move much beyond "beginner" at this point. >:(

[minkhiller]

Jake "the snake", you have the passion. You will soon find your abilities are far beyond what you could predict. Not only that, you are one of few younger people involved in the world of advocacy, I hope that is a sign of things to come. Thank you.

[epic-rider]

Great topic! For me, some days I'm stoked on the trail, others I'm smoked. But whatever day it is, I ride for fun. My technical skills surpass my lung capacity and I have no idea how I compare with other riders since I ride alone 9 of 10 times. But it really doesn't matter. As long as I'm progressing in my own little world- I'm having fun. And that's what it's all about. The few times I've ridden with others, I've been toward the back of the pack and no one cares. I think attitude is more important than skill level.

[skippy]

That really seems to be the consensus. Everyone here that I've met is really nice, and they don't seem to really get down on anybody's skill level.... if someone lags behind, there's always a place to stop and let them catch up (FOMBA seems great for multi-skill rides -- all of the trails end back on the fire roads and the group can fend of the bugs for a couple of minutes...)

[Sharon1958]

That really seems to be the consensus. Everyone here that I've met is really nice, and they don't seem to really get down on anybody's skill level.... if someone lags behind, there's always a place to stop and let them catch up (FOMBA seems great for multi-skill rides -- all of the trails end back on the fire roads and the group can fend of the bugs for a couple of minutes...)

I am a beginner rider, and after only a few rides, my skills have improved a lot. Mostly everyone I've met through NEMBA has been very patient with beginners, especially the experienced riders. I am grateful to the experienced riders with whom I've ridden for teaching and helping me!

Interestingly, I have found some beginners with a bit more skill (advanced beginners?), are more likely to be impatient, show off, or not be very considerate or pleasant. More experienced riders are more relaxed and have nothing to prove.

I think this tends to be true, whether we're talking about MTB or stamp collecting. A little knowledge can be dangerous thing!

[PutAwayWet]

Yeah ok, sandbagger. ::)


Well, I guess it depends on we're comparing what to. I got flak from someone else for this, too. I'm thinking, across the entire spectrum of MTB skill level (novice - professional) I'm somewhere in the middle. If you look at racing classes, I'd be a sport rider. That's right in the middle (novice, sport, expert, pro). I ride with a guy who used to race semi-pro, and he blows my doors off - technically and fitness wise. And while I pride myself on being able to climb like a mountain goat, put me on a downhill and I look like the "Greatest American Hero" (if anyone remembers that show). So yeah, I think skill level is relative to those you ride with. My usual riding group puts me right about at average with them - some things I'm good at, some things they're better at.