Cycle Skills and Fitness

The retreats have group sizes that have flexibility and accommodate a variety of skill levels. Riders form into groups each day based on confidence, fitness and skills, exploring trails most suited to that group.

  • Group A

    Group A is for those cyclists feeling a little less confident and who are building their riding skills. This group rides mainly Green Trails (the easiest of trail difficulties) and some basic Blue Trails (next level up). A guide is there with you for support and to provide skills advice for this group.

  • Group B

    Group B is for those who are feeling moderately confident that day. This group will also be accompanied by a guide for skills advice when you need it. You will get to experience some of the classic blue wilderness trails that the areas are famous for.

  • Group C

    Group C is for riders who are feeling more confident and ready to push themselves a bit more. They can ride off ahead of the other groups and also have a chance to be shuttled to some of the harder trails. Tasmanian mountain biking logistics can be hard. If you want to be looked after and ride on some of the best trails Tasmania has to offer, this is the trip for you.

Fitness

Fitness is relative! To get the most out of the retreat, before arriving you should be able to comfortably cycle for 3 to 4 hours at a low to moderate intensity, including stopping for short breaks along the way. The retreats and tours are about you, however, so there are always shorter options available each day if you are just not feeling it.

The best thing you can do to prepare is to get out and spend time riding. If you get your muscles and brain back into the rhythm of cycling it will allow you to get even more enjoyment of the retreat.

 

I don’t know if I am good enough.

We all have different levels of skill, fitness and confidence, which can change depending on the day, the retreats offer different groups for you to ride with and enjoy. Tasmania is just bursting with spectacular trails to ride at the beginner and intermediate levels. The supportive guides are there to help you along the way.

There is an anecdote in mountain biking - if you ask a male and female of similar skill levels, the male will most likely say they are advanced and the female will likely say they are a beginner...

What if you haven't done much mountain biking before? In our experience, those who rode around on bicycles as kids, and can still ride around urban roads comfortably, generally pick up mountain bike-specific skills pretty quickly. If you took up cycling as an adult and haven't spent much time off the sealed roads, sometimes it can take a bit more effort and practice to get comfortable on the trails - but it's doable. Just take it slow and you will get there.

If you’re concerned or unsure, send Louise an email to talk it through.