Ride Ratings, Requirements, and Tips
Portland Bicycling Club rides are rated by TERRAIN from A, flat, to E, extremely hilly:
- A – Basically flat, no steep hills
- B – Gently rolling terrain with one or two short hills
- C – Moderate terrain with rolling short steep hills or moderate, sustained climbs
- D – Difficult terrain with longer, steeper hills
- E – Extreme terrain with frequent steep hills and long sustained climbs
Portland Bicycling Club rides are rated by PACE from Slow to Fast:
Speed indicated is while on a flat or gentle hill terrain—not an average speed, but a cruising speed. Remember that most rides are non-group so pace does not matter, but if you want to know the general pace of the ride in order to keep up with the ride leader, pace is provided:
- No Speed Provided – Ride leader has not submitted a pace
- Slow – Speeds approximately 8-13 mph (or in a group ride, the pace of the slowest rider)
- Intermediate – Speeds approximately 13-15 mph
- Brisk – Speeds approximately 15-17 mph
- Fast – Normally a paceline ride; speeds in excess of 18 mph
Types of Rides:
Group ride – Riders will stay together
Regroup ride – Riders will spread out, and regroup at specific points along the route (map provided)
Non-group ride – Riders will spread out with no planned regroup points along the route (map provided)
Rider Requirements:
- Helmets are required on all Portland Bicycling Club rides: ASTM, CPSC or Snell approved.
- All riders need to sign in on the waiver/sign in sheet at the beginning of the ride. Online sign in prior to the ride counts as a waiver.
- Arrive early. Rides leave at the time stated in the ride description. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the ride to allow yourself time to prepare, sign in, and get a map.
Helpful Tips:
- Bring along a bottle (or two) of water to stay hydrated.
- Bring a tire pump, tools, and a spare tube.
- Bring some cash. Most rides include a stop for refreshments.
- Carry some sort of identification or create something with your name, address, an emergency contact, and medical problems or medications.
- Riders under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian (sorry, it’s that pesky liability stuff).
- Familiarize yourself with the Club’s safety policy. Bicycle safety is one of our main priorities.
- Familiarize yourself with the Club’s group riding considerations. A link to the ODOT bicycle manual Rules of the Road for your reference is available here.
- While we hope you never need it, an overview of our Club insurance is available here, including information about our excess accident medical policy which kicks in after an injured rider’s own medical insurance is exhausted and helps cover expenses related to the accident.
