What Level is Your Child?

What are the different Levels?

Beginner Level 1

By the end of Level 1, riders should be able to:

  • Listen to instructions but maybe not the first time
  • Ride self-sufficiently  – e.g Pedal, Brake and stop safely
  • Stand up out of the saddle with level pedals
  • Brake in control to a stop and put a foot down
  • Stay engaged in the session without causing disruptions (coach will highlight to parent if not)
  • Be willing to push their bike where and when necessary 
  • Attempt skills or challenges most of the time

Beginner Level 2

By the end of Level 2, riders should be able to:

  • Show an understanding and ability to use gears
  • Keep up with the group and not routinely pushing when others aren’t
  • Ride flat corners and bermed corners
  • Willing to try new skills or ride new trails with support
  • Move around their bike, showing the beginnings of moving backwards to start a front wheel lift
  • Attempt all session content most of the time
  • Listen to instructions and not regularly prohibit the group from progressing 
  • Be able to ride the blue climb to the start of the blue berms on the Verderers Trail

Intermediate Level 3

By the end of Level 3 riders should be able to:

  • Demonstrate and differentiate the difference between ready and attack position (Ready – Pedals Level, bent knees and elbows, chin up and Attack – Lower in bike, lead foot heals / toes up) 
  • Use full spread of gears competently and use all gears before pushing etc. 
  • Perform a flat corner with a dropped pedal, leaning the bike. 
  • Navigate around a berm, using the support of the berm to corner in control. 
  • Effectively pump the bike to either keep it on the ground or to generate speed. Should be able to get through the first section of pump track without pedalling.
  • Move their weight back quickly to show an unweighting of the front wheel and the basics of a front wheel lift / manual
  • Move weight up and forward to show an unweighting of rear wheel
  • Want to ride and can stay engaged in the session for the full 2 hours.
  • Not regularly opt out of new challenges or hold the group up  
  • Complete the Blue long climb on the Verderers Trail most of the time

Intermediate Level 4

By the end of Level 4, riders should be able to:

  • Ride the Verderers trail within the session
  • Ride to the top of the blue zig zag climb without stopping in all weather conditions
  • Perform a drop of hub height or below to a 2 wheel landing in control and consistently
  • Scoop pedal to aid rear wheel lift
  • Weight shift, moving up and forward to help rear wheel lift
  • Ride linked berms one after the other with control and flow
  • Stay engaged for a full session and does not require a specified snack break. 
  • Listen to coaching points and visually implement them within the session
  • Perform manuals/front wheel lifts over obstacles such as sticks or roots
  • Understand the difference from a drop off Technique and a jump technique

Advanced Level 5

By the end of Level 5, riders should be able to:

  • Ride or make a full attempt on most sections of the push up to get to the DH trails
  • Perform a trail side manual of at least a bike length consistently on a fire road
  • Get round most of the pump track without pedalling and pump the bike to maintain speed
  • Perform an American bunny hop with both wheels leaving the ground 
  • Ride countdown without pedalling 
  • Take on board coaching points whilst riding 
  • Want to technically progress on to more demanding features
  • Ride/attempt the top section of Corkscrew
  • Demonstrate good drop off technique and the foundations of jumping

Advanced Level 6

By the end of Level 6, riders should be able to:

  • Perform a bunny hop over an obstacle timing both wheels to clear it
  • Ride the push up completely, in chunks, up to the fire road
  • Get themselves and their bikes up the enduro hill climb without the need for help
  • Be motivated to ride and to learn new skills in new terrain 
  • Be able to ride 2 of the 2 dot DH trails but not necessarily in one hit top to bottom
  • Maintain good energy management for a whole session of riding
  • Ride corkscrew drops with appropriate technique
  • Clear the lower tabletop on the jump line using correct jump technique

Trailblazers Level 7

By the end of the Trailblazers level, riders should be able to:

  • Ride Verderers in under 1.5hrs with energy left in the tank
  • Ride Freeminers without needing to stop
  • Want to become a self-sufficient trail rider in both riding and trail side repairs. 
  • Want to partake in sessions such as fuel and hydration, trail side repairs and navigation
  • Ride confidently on 2 dot downhill trails and can ride them top to bottom non-stop.  
  • Try and ride most of the enduro hill push up 
  • Be technically competent in pumping, dropping and jumping trail features 
  • Have proven on bike awareness to read the trail ahead as they ride and adapt to features and conditions

Advanced DH Level 7

By the end of the Advanced DH level, riders should be able to:

  • Want to race or already have some race experience 
  • Confidently ride all Black Severe (1 diamond) DH trails e.g Sheepskull/Mr Rooty/Endo/Corkscrew and ride sections of Black Extreme (2 diamond)DH trails e.g GBU/Cougar/Ski Run
  • Be receptive to small and defined coaching points 
  • Be happy to be timed and have timing used as a coaching metric in terms of session aims
  • Get themselves up the push up twice within the 2-hour session whether that be riding or pushing 
  • Be happy to ride steeper and more intimidating trails 
  • Ride the skills area clearing every jump and landing in control on every drop, demonstrating consistent use of good technique