All ‘official’Cycle Seahaven rides are graded according to the cyclist’s experience and the terrain,according to the tables below. For example,a 2B MTB ride will be for occasional cyclists on rough ground but with gentle gradients or a 4C road ride will be for experienced cyclists and a fairly hilly route.
If you have any queries about a particular ride,always ask the ride leader in advance or when you turn up –they will always be happy to advise and will try to accomodate everyone on a ride wherever possible.
Cyclist Level
| Grade | Level | Road | MTB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beginner | New to cycling and can cycle several miles at about twice walking pace on a flat route. | New to cycling. Slow pace with frequent stopping. Flat terrain. Example:Ouse Estuary trail from Seaford Sailing Club at the Buckle to Newhaven Sainsbury's and back in 90 minutes. |
| 2 | Occasional | Can cycle 15 miles in 2½ hours including a refreshment stop of about ½ hour so,whilst cycling,can maintain an average speed of 7½ mph,ie just over twice walking pace. | Rides occasionally. Can ride at a slow steady pace for an hour. One or two short hills are OK. Example:Seaford Martello Tower to Sainsbury's and back in 90 minutes. |
| 3 | Intermediate | Can cycle 25 miles in 3 hours including a refreshment stop of about ½ hour so,whilst cycling,can maintain an average speed of 10 mph. | Rides a few times a month. Can ride at a steady jogging pace for 3 hours. No problem with hilly terrain. |
| 4 | Experienced | Touring Pace:Can cycle 50 miles in 5 hours,including a refreshment stop of about ½ hour so,whilst cycling,can maintain an average speed of 11½ mph. Brisk Pace:Can cycle 30 miles in 2½ hours,including a refreshment stop of almost ½ hour so,whilst cycling,can maintain an average speed of 14½ mph. | Rides regularly. Can ride at a steady pace for 4 hours or a quicker pace for 2 hours. Steeper hills are OK. |
| 5 | Advanced | Can cycle 100 miles in 10 hours,including refreshment stops so,whilst cycling,can maintain an average speed of 11½ mph. | Rides a lot,often over hilly terrain for 2 to 4 hours each ride and,occasionally,all day. |
Terrain
| Grade | Road | MTB |
|---|---|---|
| A | A basically flat route,eg from the Martello Tower in Seaford to the Hope Inn at Newhaven. | Paved,wide cycle ways – best with semi slick or semi-slick tyres. Ouse Estuary Trail. |
| B | A reasonably flat route with a few minor hills,eg the route to Arlington via Litlington,Lullington Court and Drusillas. | Can ride on rough ground with gentle gradients. Can comfortably ride of a kerb. Usually requires semi-slick or knobbly tyres. Family trail in Friston Forest. |
| C | A partly hilly route with any hills less than 14% (1 in 7),ie no chevrons on an Ordnance Survey map,eg the route to Horam via Litlington and Golden Cross. | Rough ground. Can ride over small tree roots and loose gravel. Steeper downhill gradients can be taken carefully. (Carefully negotiate the downhill route in Friston Forest or Bo-peep to Alfriston via Comp Lane). |
| D | A reasonably hilly route with some hills between 14% and 20% (1 in 7 to 1 in 5),ie 1 chevron on an Ordnance Survey map. | Can ride down some steps,eg those on the hill by Splash Point,around beams and over small jumps. Comfortable with steep gradients. |
| E | A hilly route with some hills of at least 20% (1 in 5),ie 2 chevrons on an Ordnance Survey map. | Larger drops and jumps. Will pedal down steep gradients. |
