Technical is so broad... Lets expand

[Bikejunkie]

The term technical means so many things....

 

Some riders talk about riding surface: loose rocky climbs, loose rocky decents. mud. sand. gradient etc.

 

Some riders talk about technical features such as bridges, rock gardens, obstacles etc.

 

Some races are considered more technical then others based on one or a combination of the above.

I'm keen to hear what riders consider technical, and how you would classify a technical race.

 

and...... GO!

[Guest notmyname]

Northern Farm eksê.

[KarlvN]

Single track with more than 25% gradient including rocks that require climbing over. Same for descents, including off camber switchbacks, drop-offs of more than 1m in heights, gap jumps, table tops, etc.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Google IMBA difficulty ratings. 

 

Oh, okay, be lazy. Here you go. 

 

http://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/mtb-trail-difficulty.gif

[Uni]

I measure technical by how many bad words come out of my mouth. 

[Eddy Gordo]

Terrain

1 - Flat as a pancake - combination of cycle paths, old railway lines or coastal roads

2 - Flat with some lumpy bits - generally flat with some short climbs, nothing too sharp

3 - Gently undulating - ups and downs but nothing too steep or long

4 - Undulating  - ups and downs with some bigger hills 

5 - Rolling hills - may include bigger hills that take longer to climb

6 - Hilly - more in the way of climbing at times, some climbs may be up to 10% gradient

7 - Hilly with some steep climbs - may include some climbs of between 10 and 15% which are longer in duration

8 - Very hilly - lots of ups and downs including some steeper climbs of up to 25% some of which may be long and challenging

Technical Grading

Here is a brief explanation of our technical grading system so that you can choose the right mountain biking route for you.

Green - Suitable for beginner and novice cyclists and mountain bikers. Biking is on flat and wide trails with no challenging features.

Blue - Suitable for intermediate cyclists and mountain bikers with basic off-road riding skills. Trails may include small obstacles including small rocks and roots. Most gradients are moderate but may be steep in short sections.

Red - Suitable for proficient mountain bikers. Trails can be steep and rough with some technical sections including large rocks and water crossings. Some off-road biking experience is required.

Black - Suitable for very experienced mountain bikers. Trails can be very challenging with steep, technical climbs and descents, rocks, roots and drop offs, some pushing may be required.