Grading Gravel Routes

The grading of the routes takes into account the aforementioned factors: surface type, vertical gain and distance
but consideration is also given to how technical the trails are which link the gravel roads together.
The points below present what you can expect during routes at each level of difficulty.

The scale is from 1 to 5 – with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most challenging.

The following images are to give you an idea of what to expect. 

1. Fast hard gravel without rough sections or single track.

Typically consist of car grade gravel roads and parkland gravel trails.  

2. Fast hard gravel with sections of coarse gravel, very easy single track or double track roads. 

With the double track, or old farmer roads the surface may be more like parallel single tracks but of a very easy nature. 

3. Longer sections of coarse gravel with sections of easy single track.

These routes provide a challenge but are achievable to most. The single track may include some slightly technical sections. 

4. Sustained periods of coarse gravel with longer sections of single track. 

These routes are demanding and a higher level of fitness and experience is required. The single track section will contain a degree of difficulty with less experienced riders having to walk parts of the trail. An advanced rider would have no difficulty clearing these parts. 

5. Sustained periods of rough riding with longer sections of demanding single track.

The hardest trails in the book and are only meant for experienced riders. The single track will be demanding with even those coming from a mountain biking background will find the trail difficult. The older generation would consider these trails to be light mountain biking.