Level 0: New to biking

Riders at this level are new to biking and have just learned to balance on a bike and are ready to start pedaling.

Trails: rider has not been on trails or paths yet, may feel comfortable riding in a grassy area or park.

Recommended Program: SMBA Learn to Ride Camp

Level 1 Skills: Riders at this level have mastered the following skills:

• Can balance on the bike and pedal in a straight line without assistance

• Can get started without assistance, and can come to a stop

• Likes to ride, but also enjoys frequent snack stops

• Is ready to learn more skills and practice basic bike handling skills on a trail.

Trails: Level 1 riders are comfortable on gravel doubletrack and bike paths. May have ridden on some flat, easy green rated trails

• Boulder Creek Path

• Boulder Valley Ranch -Sage/Eagle trail

• Valmont XC green trails (glades, skills loop, etc.)

• Double track/gravel paths, gentle singletrack

Recommended SMBA Programs:

• Jr. Riders Camp

• K-1 Dirt Riders

• Dirt Riders

Riders at this level have mastered the following skills:

• All Level 1 skills

• Can stand up on pedals

• Can use brakes to stop

• Comfortable looking ahead while pedaling

Level 2 Riders are comfortable and/or have ridden on the following trails (or trails with similar terrain):

• Valmont XC trails (glades, skills loop, dirt 101)

• Boulder Valley Ranch

• Mud Lake

• Heil Ranch (Schoolhouse Loop, Skillz Loop)

• Marshall Mesa /Community Ditch

• Doudy Draw / Community Ditch

Recommended SMBA Programs:

• Jr. Riders Camp (7-11 years)

• Cycling Sister Camp (7-11 years)

• M/W Summer Boulder ½ Day Rides (8 - 17 years)

• Spring/Fall Dirt Riders (5-11 years)

Level 3 riders have mastered the following skills:

• All Level 1 and 2 skills

• Can use both brakes to stop safely

• Can ride over some smaller obstacles (small roots, rocks, etc.)

• Enjoys riding and is ready to build on their basic bike handling skills and endurance with longer, more challenging rides.

Trails: Advanced Beginners are comfortable on green/blue rated trails with gentle to moderate climbs and various terrain like the following:

• Marshall Mesa

• Doudy Draw

• Flatirons Vista

• Mud Lake

• Lower West Magnolia trails (e.g. Aspen Alley, Observatory, Hobbit 1)

• Heil Ranch (e.g. Schoolhouse Loop, Skillz Loop, Overland Loop)

• Maryland Mountain (Easy Money, Millsite)

Recommended SMBA Programs:

• Spring/Fall After school Team (1-day/week or 2-day/week)

• Boulder ½ Day Summer Rides (M/W)

• Summer Explorers (4-day) or Singletrackers (8-day) program

• Nederland Wednesday Morning rides

Level 4 riders have mastered the following skills:

• All skills in Levels 1-3

• Comfortable shifting, and using appropriate gears when terrain changes

• Comfortable using both brakes, and one finger braking

• Can navigate small obstacles and turns on uphill sections of trail

• Comfortable descending steeper rocky terrain

• Enjoys longer rides with fewer breaks or stops

• Comfortable on trails with a variety of terrain and moderate to challenging climbs

Trails: Level 4 Riders are comfortable on Blue rated trails with singletrack and varying terrain like the following for extended periods of time:

• Betasso

• Hall ranch - Antelope / Nelson Loop

• Picture Rock

• West Magnolia Trails (Hobbit, School Bus, etc.)

• Sherwood Trail

• North Sky trail

• Maryland Mountain (Easy Money, Millsite, Fast Money)

Recommended SMBA Programs:

• Adventure Trips

• Spring/Fall After school rides

• Spring/Fall Sunday programs

• Summer Teams (Explorers, Singletrackers, Trailblazers, Unlimited Adventurer)

• Summer ½ Day Rides (Tue/Thurs)

• Downhill Days

Level 5 riders have mastered the following skills:

• All skills in Levels 1-4

• Can ride up and over obstacles 6” or higher

• Comfortable on, and can ride in control down steep rocky terrain

• Comfortable riding down curbs or small rock drops

• Comfortable riding more challenging, technical trails, but may get off and walk over some features

• Enjoys riding over longer distances without frequent breaks

• Comfortable on long rides a variety of steep downhills and sustained climbs

Trails: Level 5 Riders are comfortable on Blue and Blue/Black rated trails with varying terrain and steeper, technical sections; like the following:

• Heil Ranch (All trails)

• Picture Rock

• Betasso

• Hall Ranch - Antelope - Nelson Loop. Parts of Bitterbrush

• West Magnolia Trails

• East Magnolia Trails

• Maryland Mountain (Easy Money, Fast Money)

Recommended SMBA Programs:

• Adventure Trips

• All Spring/ Fall After school and Sunday ride programs

• Summer ½ Day Rides (T/TH)

• All Summer Team programs

• Downhill Days

Level 6 Riders have mastered all of the following skills:

• All skills in Levels 1-5

• Enjoys exploring new trails and riding long distances without frequent breaks

• Comfortable on extended climbs with 1000 feet or more of elevation gain

• Advanced braking

• Can use a wheel lift to ride over obstacles over 6” in height

• Comfortable on drops and jumps

• Comfortable riding on any type of terrain

Trails: Level 6 riders are comfortable on Blue/Black and Black rated trails like the following (or those with similar terrain):

• Hall Ranch - Bitterbrush

• White Ranch (Belcher, Maverick, Mustang, Longhorn)

• Walker Ranch

• West Magnolia - (Schoolbus, Roots/Rocks Kinglet, etc.)

• East Magnolia - Blue Dot, Bear Down, Boy Scout trails)

• Maryland Mountain (Fast Money, Hard Money)

• Virgina Canyon and Floyd Hill trails

Recommended SMBA programs:

• Adventure Trips

• Spring/Fall After School and Sunday rides

• Summer ½ Day Tue/Thurs rides

• Summer Team Programs (Singletrackers, Trailblazers, Unlimited Adventurers)

• Optional Extended Adventure rides

• Downhill Days