Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club

OHBTC RIDE CLASSIFICATIONS and CATEGORIES

OHBTC rides posted on the schedule each include a classification and category based on the descriptions listed below.  The classification identifies the target Average Moving Speed (AMS) and cruising speeds anticipated over flat terrain.  The category indicates riding style and related information.  Riders are encouraged to review these descriptions closely, as OHBTC rides vary significantly depending on the classification and category assigned.

Classifications

Trail

- Casual

8 to 10 mph AMS

Cruising speeds at 11 or 12 mph on trails.  AMS varies depending on terrain, traffic and rider ability.

C

- Touring

10 to 12 mph AMS

Cruising speeds at 13 or 14 mph over flat terrain.  Uphill slows down substantially.  Look for rides posted as C-Touring.

CC

- Touring

12 to 14 mph AMS

Cruising speeds may reach 16 mph on the flats.  Uphill pace slows down substantially.  Look for rides posted as CC-Touring.

B

- Touring

14 to 16 mph AMS

Cruising speeds range from 17 to 19 mph on the flats.  Uphill pace slows down quite a bit.  Look for rides posted as B-Touring, B-Sport, or B-Express.

- Sport

- Express

A

- Sport

16 to 18 mph AMS

Pace lines often sustained at 19 to 21 mph on the flats.  Riders work to keep up the pace on hills.  Look for rides posted as A-Sport, A-Training, or A-Express.

- Training

- Express

AA/3

- Sport

18 to 20 mph AMS

Pace lines often sustained at 21 to 23 mph on the flats.  Look for rides posted as AA/3-Sport, AA3-Training, or AA/3-Express.

- Training

- Express

AA/2

- Training

20 to 22 mph AMS

Pace lines often sustained at 23 to 25 mph on the flats.  Look for rides posted as AA/2-Training or AA/2-Express.

- Express

AA/1

- Training

22 to 24+mph AMS

Pace lines often sustained at 25 to 27+mph on the flats.  Look for rides posted as AA/1-Training or AA/1-Express.

- Express

Categories

Casual

Casual rides often include families, members or guests new to club riding. Riders are encouraged to remain together throughout the course.   Ride leaders ride at the advertised pace and lead from behind or assign a ride sweeper to ensure no one is dropped or stranded due to mechanical issues.  These rides include frequent stops, about every 5 miles.  Terrain is typically flat or rolling.  Casual rides are normally posted on the schedule as D-Casual.

Touring

Touring rides are socially focused with riders often enjoying scenic routes and conversation.  Members typically ride together or split into smaller groups.  Regrouping at stops, hilltops or turns along the course is common if individual riders become separated.  Ride leaders ride at the advertised pace, leading from behind or assigning a ride sweeper to ensure no one is dropped or stranded due to mechanical issues. 

Touring rides are most often posted on the schedule as C-Touring, CC-Touring or B-Touring.  At the class C level, rest stops are planned every 5 to 10 miles.  Ride duration is normally 30 miles or less.  At the CC and B levels expect rest stops every 10 to 15 miles.

Sport

This category emphasizes the sport and physical fitness aspects of road cycling.  Members often pace line, riding together or splitting into smaller groups.  Ride leaders rotate with the slowest pace line ensuring no one is dropped or stranded with a mechanical issue.   Ride leaders may exceed the advertised pace on occasion, but only when necessary to stay with the slowest group.

Sport rides are normally posted on the schedule as B-Sport, A-Sport or AA/3-Sport.  At the class B level, pace lining is sometimes limited and rotation may be infrequent.  Rest stops are normally scheduled every 10 to 15 miles.  At the A and AA/3 levels, pace lining is typical with structured rotation.  Rest stops are normally scheduled every 15 to 25 miles and may be restricted to 10 minutes or less.

Training

Training rides focus on team building techniques with members riding together in a single, fast-rotating pace line.  Members should arrive at the start well rested, fueled and hydrated.  All riders stop in case of mishaps or mechanicals.   Ride leaders rotate in the pace line working to keep the team riding as a single unit and may establish or adjust speed limits for flat terrain.   Rest stops are often limited (with members sometimes just refueling on the back of the pace line).   If rest stops are included they are typically restricted to 5 minutes or less.

Training rides are normally posted on the schedule as A-Training through AA/1-Training.  The class A and AA/3 levels are often used for team training, recovery, interval work, or hill repeats.  Elevated team efforts on rollers and short climbs are common in the AA/3 range.  At the AA/2 and AA/1 levels, expect a tight, fast rotating pace line with elevated team efforts through all ascents.

Express

These are fast-paced rides that provide members an opportunity to surge or attempt breakaways without limitations on speed, so long as traffic laws are obeyed and safe, courteous riding is maintained.  On Express rides, members are free to hammer off the front well beyond the advertised pace.  Ride leaders maintain visual contact with the slowest group ensuring no one is stranded with a mishap or mechanical.  They may exceed the advertised pace if necessary to maintain contact with the slowest group.  Rest stops are not normally included on shorter rides.

Express rides are most often posted as on the schedule as B-Express through AA/3-Express. (Express rides held in the AA range are normally posted as AA/3-Express since riders are free to hammer well beyond the advertised pace.  However, when multiple ride leaders are involved some may sweep at the AA/2 or AA/1 level when faster riders are present).

MTB

These rides are undertaken within parks or other recreational areas appropriate for mountain bike use.  MTB rides do not include ride classifications.  Members should be experienced in off-road, trail riding and MTB handling.  Ride leaders provide full descriptions within the ride listings but should be contacted if more information is needed.

Additional Information

Split AMS

On occasion, a ride leader may wish to set the target AMS for a ride between two classes.   When this occurs, both classes appear in the ride listing, separated by a slant bar (A/B-Sport for example).  The actual AMS intended by the ride leader is included in the ride description.

Multiple Classes

Sometimes a ride leader, or multiple ride leaders, may wish to lead more than one class in a given ride (and post within a single listing).   In these cases, the classes to be included appear in a single ride listing separated by a comma (B, CC-Touring for example).

Undefined Category

At times, ride leaders may omit a category when the riding style intended doesn’t fall under one of the categories above, or when greater flexibility is desired.

Overnight Rides

Overnight rides may be posted on the schedule with or without ride classifications or categories.  Complete details for overnight rides are provided in the ride description.  Ride leaders should be contacted when more information is needed.

OHBTC

Multi-Class Rides

Club sponsored Multi-Class rides include multiple ride leaders and typically span the breadth of OHBTC classes and categories (except MTB).  Complete details regarding individual classes and categories are provided in the ride description.

Conflicts

If specific information included in a ride description appears to conflict with the classification or category assigned, then the information in the ride description should be followed.    Ride leaders should be contacted when clarifications or more information is needed.