San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club

Pace and Terrain Ratings

All scheduled SLOBC rides are designated as to PACE and TERRAIN to give riders a better idea of how hard or easy the ride will be.  Here are the definitions (these are for road rides, unless otherwise stated).

PACE
AA
Very Slow
 Less than 10 MPH.  This pace is for families with children and for those recreational riders who like to "stop and smell the flowers."  Regroups often.  Waits for the slowest of riders.
A
Slow
 About 9 to 12 MPH average.  Leisurely, easy pace, allows riders to visit while riding.  Some riding skills required.  Waits for slower riders.  Regroups occasionally, usually after a hard hill or just before a route change.
B
Moderate
 Averages 12 to 15 MPH.  Good riders.  Social pace.  Regroups every 30-45 minutes but still waits for slower riders.
C
Brisk
 Averages 15 to 19 MPH on reasonably level terrain.  Requires experienced riders.  Regroups at roughly every hour or so.  Requires occasional pace line riding.
D
Fast
 20 MPH or more.  Race training, infrequent stops.  Mostly pace line.  No obligation to wait for other riders
TERRAIN
1
 Generally flat.
2
 Easy grades with occasional hills.  (Most of the Frequent Feeder and SLOPokes Rides).
3
 Rolling hills.  (North county hills like Vineyard Drive and Peachy Canyon.
4
 Hard hills.  (Hwy 46 from coast to Paso Robles, Santa Rosa Creek).
5
 Very challenging hills are the focus of these rides.  (Fortunately, not many in our area.

Note: Both Pace and Terrain designations will appear in the description of each ride and are the responsibility of the ride leader to follow.   By the way, more than one designation is possible for some rides.  When that happens, the Ride Leader is responsible to see that both groups have a leader.