HomeRide Classification: the 4 Ts

Ride Classification: The Four Ts

The Four Ts are: Tempo, Topography, Traffic, and Terrain.

Tempo

Tempo is the speed of the ride. There may be a broader range of tempo than indicated, but rides should not go faster than the highest listed speed. It is important to keep this in mind for descents as well: just because the rider isn't pedaling to achieve higher speeds doesn't mean that they are comfortable with or capable of bike handling at speeds in excess of the indicated tempo.

The lower end of the tempo may vary on climbs. Since club rides are no drop rides, riders will regroup after climbs if needed.

Topography

Topography describes how hilly the ride is, the nature and lengths of climbs and descents. The topography rating won't describe the total amount of elevation. The ride description should indicate ride length and elevation separately.

Traffic

Traffic describes the types of routes rides will follow relative to motor vehicle speed, frequency, and proximity. If there is a protected bike lane next to a high traffic road, that route wouldn't be shared with vehicles, for instance. If there are a few spots on an otherwise calm route where vehicle interaction increases significantly, Ride Leaders should point that out, and be prepared to assist the group in negotiating those points. An example would be crossing Highway 20 while leading a ride on the Cascade Trail.

Terrain

Terrain describes the riding surface. Rides will generally be already categorized as road or gravel; however, the condition of each relative to appropriate tires, equipment, and bike handling skills should be indicated by the Terrain category. Since Mt. Baker Bike Club doesn't lead mountain bike rides, consider the categories relative to gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes, and bikes with little or no suspension. (Riders are welcome to ride their mountain bikes on our rides as appropriate to the ride.)

How to use the chart

Mount Baker Bicycle Club Ride Leaders will use the following chart to describe their rides using the four Ts: tempo, topography, traffic, and terrain.

A typical ride will look like this: Tempo B, Topography B, Traffic B, Terrain A. This ride might be a tour of milder corners of Bellingham. Our weekly winter Wednesday trail ride might look like this: Tempo A, Topography C, Traffic A/B, Terrain D.

The observant rider will note that Tempo A ride on Topography C (as in the trail ride) means you will be not going fast, but you will be taking lots of climbs, some punchy, some longer.

A ride should also mention total distance and total climbing, so you have an idea of how much work that will be for you, and whether that's a ride you'll enjoy. A Tempo A, Topography A ride that's 15 miles long should be less than 90 minutes, for example. A 35-mile ride that's Tempo C, Topography C with 2000 feet of climbing might take the riders 2 to 3 hours.

Default to the higher category

In general, Ride Leaders should default to the higher category. If your ride is pretty flat except for that one long steady climb for 10 minutes, or that one 12% ramp; or if you spend most of the time on quiet trails but have to ride on Lakeway for 2 miles to get there, indicate the higher category. You can add those details in the description. There are some riders who can't or don't want to punch up that 12% grade; others are distinctly uncomfortable on roads like Lakeway and it will ruin their ride.

If you need more information about a ride, please contact the Ride Leader, who will be listed on the Event.

Ride classification
	A	B	C	D
Tempo	10-12 mph	13-16 mph	14-18 mph	19+ mph
Topography	< 25ft of climbing per mile on average. < 5% grades. Mostly flat. Climbs are low and at most a couple of minutes.	25 to 50 feet per mile on average. 5-8% grades. Generally flat with some hills or short steady climbs at lower grades of 2-4%.	51 to 75 feet per mile on average. A hilly course with long steady climbs between 3 and 7% grade and shorter climbs of up to 12%.	75+ feet per mile on average. A mountain climb. Route will involve long steady climbs of 5 to 8%. On shorter sections grades may be > 15%. Long, fast descents.
Traffic	Little to no route shared with vehicles; interurban trails, dedicated bike lanes.	Light, low-speed in-town urban traffic. Residential roads, minor connectors. Vehicle speeds < 30 mph.	Moderate traffic. Urban core roadways, connector arteries with cycling infrastructure. Vehicle speed < 35 mph.	Regular vehicle contact, shared lanes with vehicles. Some traffic may be moving >35mph. Urban traffic, or regularly used rural highways.
Terrain	Smooth pavement in good condition. Roads have wide clear shoulders.	Variable pavement, or high-grade gravel path. Pavement in mixed condition. Roads may have shoulders with some debris. There may be loose gravel, but surfaces will be even and maintained. Attention is needed, but not special skill.	Unpaved surfaces, some obstacles, variable traction. May have intermittent paving in mixed condition. Bike handling skills will come into play. Durable, wider tires with traction tread.	Broken surfaces, some obstacles, some single track, low-traction conditions. Bike handling skills will be necessary throughout the ride. Durable, wider tires with traction tread.