We try to keep the rating system easy to understand while giving you an accurate idea of what to expect. For example, (FUN-20-H1 vs FUN-20-H3). The H value doesn't indicate the number of hills, but rather the overall amount of climbing during the ride. A ride along the Platte River Trail is an H1. Up Squaw Pass is an H4.
The ride leader determines the rating so one person's H2 is another's H3. If you are the ride leader, please rate your ride as you think other riders will view the climbs. If you know there is only one long climb, you might give the ride an overall H2, but, for example, mention the climb up Cherry Creek Dam in the description.
An INT H2 is probably more difficult than a FUN H2 since they are appealing to riders with different skill levels. We encourage ride leaders to accurately label their rides. If you think it will be too difficult for a FUN level rider or you want to ride faster than the FUN speed, ask the coordinator to label your ride a FUN/INT or INT rather than FUN. If you want it to be an easy ride, label it LEISURE or LEISURE/FUN.
While those of us who have been riding for years know which trails are gravel and which are paved, new riders are sometimes caught by surprise. We'll try to mention in the description that a ride along the Highline Canal is on pea gravel or if a portion of the ride is on gravel. Ride leaders do their best to write an accurate and complete ride description. However, we encourage you to read the description and call the leader if you have questions. As you become more familiar with the trails you will know what to expect.
