CHALLENGE GUIDE

Are our trips for you?

None of our trips feature so-called 'mountain biking' on roads and gravel paths: they are singletrack (i.e. trail) based adventures, with a challenge component: challenging climbs with moderate to technical descents (depending on the trip). With the exception of our mountain bike skills camps, all of our tours are designed for experienced mountain bikers with at least 2 years of regular mountain biking experience under their belts. If you have less than 2 years experience, but are adventurous, fit and willing to learn you may also be suitable for some of our trips.

Our tours are designed to help your mountain biking progress by challenging you within safe limits. All of our BC and Peru trips now feature skills coaching at the start of each trip, to help you progress and prepare for your adventure.

If you are interested in taking part in our holidays but aren't quite ready yet, consider signing up for one of our mountain bike skills camps in BC (women's) or Ontario (co-ed).

Please read the following ability guidelines carefully, and if you are unsure if a trip is right for you, please call our office (1-888-423-7849) or email us: ride(at)sacredrides.com

Each trip’s ability level is the minimum level required for that trip.

Level 1
You have limited experience with off-road mountain biking, but you may have done some road riding. You are physically fit, adventurous, and want to learn more about how to mountain bike properly. This level is generally restricted to our skills camps.

Level 2
You have been mountain biking for at least one year or have decent general riding skills and good fitness. You are capable of controlling bike speed and direction on moderate singletrack. You ride once a week during the summer and are prepared to train to prepare for your trip. You can ride two to three hours in a day.

Level 3
You have been riding for at least two years, are confident in your climbing and descending skills and are in good shape. You ride two to three days a week and can handle moderately technical terrain such as small logs and rocks. You can ride three to five hours per day.

Level 4
You have been riding for over four years and are confident riding all types of terrain and distances. You ride as often as possible and can handle technical terrain and some stunts, such as log rollovers and small bridges. You can descend steeps, climb for hours (XC trips) and can ride multiple, long days in a row.

Level 5
You are a mountain bike god(dess). You can ride up to seven hours per day and live for mountain biking. You can handle very technical trails both up, and down.

SAFETY

At Sacred Rides, we take your safety very seriously. Which is why we have a comprehesive safety and risk management plan - one of the most comprehensive in the business. Our full safety plan is over 50 pages long and covers every contingency. Each of our guides is briefed on this safety plan at the start of each season and at periodic intervals throughout the season.

All of our guides are Wilderness First Aid certified, and our lead guides are Wilderness First Aid Responder certified - a comprehensive and rigorous first aid training program that involves 80 hours of training and extensive scenario testing. At the start of each season we do a day of scenario testing for all the guides, and as part of their training our guides are required to take a recertification course every year.

We carry extensive communication equipment, including radios, cell phones and satellite phones. In the event of an emergency, we have strict protocols which will ensure that you will receive the best possible care and quickest evacuation to a medical facility.

We are proud of the professional job that our guiding team does and we have one of the best safety records in the business to show for it. When you sign up for one of our adventures, you can rest assured that your safety is taken very seriously by your guiding team. While no one can guarantee a 100% safe trip, we do everything we can to minimize risks.

THE RIDING

Any serious mountain biker has a 'singletrack' mind. That's why all of our trips have one goal in mind: to ride the best singletrack trails in the area. Because all of our guides are local, they know where to find the best singletrack. And you'll ride as much as you want!

We avoid riding on roads and doubletrack wherever possible (except for certain climbs).

TYPES OF TRAILS

We ride all types of singletrack on our tours: smooth + flowy trails, trails through tight forest, wide open trails, trails with technical sections, steeps, etc... Generally we won't ride North-shore type stunts (except on DH tours), but if you want to try them in the company of an experienced coach, let us know. We start our tours off with easier trails and then increase the challenge as you feel more comfortable. A common praise we hear is that our clients returned home riding with way more confidence and skill. New for '08: our trips in BC and Peru will all feature 1-2 mornings of skills coaching with our experienced coaches.

HOW LONG WILL WE RIDE EACH DAY?

In general we'll ride between 3 to 6 hours each day. Usually we'll start with a shorter, less challenging ride in the morning (1 1/2 to 2 hours), the return to our lodge or a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch we'll head back out for a longer, more challenging ride.

WHAT IF I'M NOT FEELING UP TO RIDING?

You are always welcome to hang out in the hotel at any time, or join us in the van. No one will ever pressure you to ride when you don't feel comfortable. Simply rejoin the group when you're feeling up to it again.