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wHICH RIDE IS  RIGHT FOR ME? 

Orange BUG ride grades are the easiest way to assess which rides might suite you best. Ride grade is an indication of the relative difficulty of the ride taking into account route length, elevation gain (how many metres climbed over the course of the ride) and pace. Ride pace is a word describing an average cycling speed range of that ride, which excludes stops and rest breaks.
 

If you are unsure about your ability to successfully complete a ride, please contact the ride leader or our Rides Coordinator to discuss your situation before the day of the ride. Ride leaders give specific information about the ride and related directions to the group at the ride briefing prior to the ride starting.

 

Please refer to the Ride Comparison Chart, which lists many of our popular rides and compares them to help you gauge other rides that may be of interest to you. 

 

Note that to achieve an average cycling speed of say 20kph on a typical ride you would need to be riding on the flat at around 25kph, on the downhills over 30kph and on the uphills at least 10kph.

Family Riding

Children are defined by the law as anyone under 16 years of age. Any child must be accompanied by a responsible adult on a Orange BUG ride.​ To help children gain valuable riding experience in a relatively safe and managed environment, Orange BUG has designated some rides as “child friendly” where children over a certain age may ride their own bicycle.

13+ - this ride is suitable for children 13 years and over to ride their own bicycle.

10+ - this ride is suitable for children 10 years and over to ride their own bicycle.

7+ - this ride is suitable for children 7 years and over to ride their own bicycle.

 

No designation – any children must be on a tag-a-long bicycle or trailer directly connected to the adults bicycle. Experienced children riders may join our rides by prior arrangement with the ride leader. 

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Ride GRading  

Beginner

Run at BEGINNER pace, and wholly or mostly on shared paths. Any on-road sections are normally lightly trafficked. Rides will include at least one longer rest break and a few regroup points along the way, although we normally stay close together. Distance will vary with specific rides, but are generally less than 10kms in total. Refer to specific ride descriptions for further details. 

Under 14km/hr

EASY

Typically run at a SLOW or RELAXED pace, over mainly flat terrain, and wholly or mostly off road on shared paths. Any on-road sections are normally lightly trafficked. Rides will include at least one longer rest break and a few regroup points along the way, although we normally stay close together. Distance will vary with specific rides, but are generally between 10 and 25kms in total. Refer to specific ride descriptions for further details.

Slow : 14-17 km/hr

Relaxed: 18-20 km/hr

Easy to

medium

Typically run at a RELAXED pace, and may be on both trafficked roads and shared paths, with some small hills. Group may separate somewhat, so regroups occur approximately every 5 kilometres. Rides will include at least one rest break. Ride Distance usually from 20 to 40 kms.

Relaxed: 18-20 km/hr

medium

Typically run at a CRUISING pace over variable terrain on trafficked roads including hills. Groups may break up and will regroup about every 10 kilometres. Rides will include at least one rest break. Distance between 40 and 80 kms.

Crusing 20-23 km/hr

medium to

HARD

Typical pace is CRUISING or FAST. Routes are over variable terrain on trafficked roads, and may include some significant hills. Riders may be separated and regroup about every 10 kilometres. Rides will include at least one rest break. Distance between 60 and 100 kms.

Cruising:20-23 km/hr

Fast : 24-26 km/hr

HARD

Depending on route distance, pace can be CRUISING, FAST OR VERY FAST and may include significant sections riding at faster than 30km/h. Routes may proceed over very hilly terrain. Some hard rides will either continue without a break or include more than one rest break if the distance is over 50km at the higher speed. Some hard rides may exceed distance of 100 kms.

Cruising:20-23 km/hr

Fast : 24-26 km/hr

Very Fast: 27-29km/hr

TRAINING

This grade is designed for those training for a race or event where speed is a major factor in success, hence run at TRAINING pace. Often these rides are not as long as some of our other rides, as the focus is on a high average speed.

Racing : 30+ km/hr

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Which ride is right for me?

 

CCBUG ride grades are the easiest way to assess which rides might suite you best. Ride grade is an indication of the relative difficulty of the ride taking into account route length, elevation gain (how many metres climbed over the course of the ride) and pace. Ride pace is a word describing an average cycling speed range of that ride, which excludes stops and rest breaks.

 

As ride grades are dependent on pace, if a ride leader decides to lead a ride at a different pace to the “normal” pace for that ride, the grade may be different on that occasion. So you do need to check each ride event on our calendar or our Facebook page for the grade being run. Other factors affecting the difficulty of a ride are: your cycling fitness, your health, the type of bicycle you are riding and the weather.

If you are unsure about your ability to successfully complete a ride, please contact the ride leader or our Rides Coordinator to discuss your situation before the day of the ride. Ride leaders give specific information about the ride and related directions to the group at the ride briefing prior to the ride starting.

 

Please refer to the Ride Comparison Chart, which lists many of our popular rides and compares them to help you gauge other rides that may be of interest to you.

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