Grading System – Cycle Seahaven

Grade	Road	Off Road
1	New to cycling and can cycle several miles at about twice walking pace on a flat route.	New to cycling. Slow pace with frequent stopping. Flat terrain.
2	Easy Touring: can maintain an average pace of about 11-12 mph on moderate terrain.	Rides occasionally. Can ride at a steady pace for an hour. One or two short hills are OK.
3	Touring: can maintain an average pace of about 12-13 mph on moderate terrain.	Rides a few times a month. Can ride at a steady pace for 3 hours. No problem with hilly terrain.
3+	Touring Plus: can maintain an average pace of about 13-14 mph on moderate terrain.
4	Fast Touring/Intermediate: can maintain an average pace of about 14+ mph on moderate terrain.	Rides regularly. Can ride at a steady pace for 4 hours or a quicker pace for 2 hours. Steeper hills are OK.
5	Sportive – can maintain a pace of at least 17 mph on moderate terrain.	Rides a lot, often over hilly terrain for 2 to 4 hours each ride and, occasionally, all day.

Grade	Road	Off Road
A	A basically flat route.	Country roads and smooth cycleways with low hills.
B	A reasonably flat route with a few minor hills.	Bridleways, byways and fields, may be rough and rutted. Some steep slopes.
C	A partly hilly route with no hills being steeper than 10% (1 in 10).	Rough and rutted byways and fields, gravel and rocky tracks with many hills.
D	A hilly route where some hills are steeper than 10% (1 in 10).	Technically difficult with steps, berms (banked curves), jumps and craters. May include steep gradients.