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    • Western Wildlands Route >
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      • WWR Segment 1
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      • WWR Segment 6
      • WWR Segment 7
      • WWR Segment 8
      • WWR Segment 9
    • The Intermountain Connectors >
      • Intermountain Connector Updates
    • Northwoods Route >
      • Northwoods Route Downloads and Guides
      • Northwoods Route Updates
    • Bears Ears Loops >
      • Bears Ears Loops Downloads and Guides
      • Bears Ears Loops Updates
    • Plateau Passage >
      • Plateau Passage Segments
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  Bikepacking Roots

BPR Route Rating SCALE

For each of our published bikepacking routes and segments thereof, we include descriptions of the difficulty and challenges experienced along the way. We break these apart into physical difficulty, technical difficulty, and other challenging elements of the route. The BPR Route Rating Scale is defined as follows:
 
Physical difficulty
  • 1-2 - Relatively level riding
  • 3-4 - Regular rolling terrain with sustained climbing
  • 5-6 - Rugged terrain with frequent climbs, some of which may be steep and unrelenting
  • 7-8 - Very rugged terrain with abundant climbing, some of which is very steep and unrideable
  • 9-10 - Numerous very steep, climbs requiring bike-pushing and/or carrying
 
 
 
Technical difficulty
  • 1-2 - Smooth riding surface with few obstacles (e.g., graded dirt roads, rail trails); suitable for novice mountain bikers
  • 3-4 - Track has occasional obstacles and steep sections (e.g., maintained forest roads, mellow singletrack); suitable for beginner mountain bikers
  • 5-6 - Continuous sections of track may be rocky, loose, and steep; (e.g., 4x4 roads or singletrack in rugged/rocky terrain) suitable for intermediate mountain bikers
  • 7-8 - Narrow trail with regular obstacles, sustained steep grades; suitable for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers
  • 9-10 - Very challenging riding with frequent large obstacles, exposure, very steep grades; suitable for advanced mountain bikers

Bikepacking Challenges
For our routes and route segments, route guides identify any elements of travel that are important to consider when planning a trip. Such challenges might include scarce water, high elevation, extensive hike-a-bike, impassible mud when wet, remoteness, summer heat, minimally maintained trails, or limited resupply options.

 
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Bikepacking Roots is a 7,000-member-strong 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing bikepacking, growing a diverse bikepacking community, advocating for the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride, and creating professional routes. We value human-powered experiences and an inclusive, engaged, and informed membership that makes a positive impact as we adventure by bike.
Our Business Partners support the bikepacking community, conservation, and public lands:
Our organizational partners that support bikepacking, advocacy, conservation, and outdoor recreation:



Bikepacking Roots is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization (EIN 81-2622394)

All content and route data copyright 2016-2021 Bikepacking Roots.
Bikepacking Roots and our logo are registered trademarks.

  • News
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Toolbox for Bikepackers
    • Love Where You Ride: Positive Impact & Leave No Trace Bikepacking
    • Advocacy Issue Submission
    • Where we stand
    • Who are bikepackers?
  • Routes
    • Our Routes
    • BPR Route Rating Scale
    • Western Wildlands Route >
      • WWR Updates
      • WWR Downloads and Guides
      • WWR Segment 1
      • WWR Segment 2
      • WWR Segment 3
      • WWR Segment 4
      • WWR Segment 5
      • WWR Segment 6
      • WWR Segment 7
      • WWR Segment 8
      • WWR Segment 9
    • The Intermountain Connectors >
      • Intermountain Connector Updates
    • Northwoods Route >
      • Northwoods Route Downloads and Guides
      • Northwoods Route Updates
    • Bears Ears Loops >
      • Bears Ears Loops Downloads and Guides
      • Bears Ears Loops Updates
    • Plateau Passage >
      • Plateau Passage Segments
    • Colorado 14ers Loop
    • Craters and Cinder Cones
    • Orogenesis
    • Pony Express Route
  • Community
    • BIPOC Bike Adventure Program
    • Bikepacking Community Survey
  • About
    • Mission
    • Who we are
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Store
  • Join
  • Donate