Redspokes Cycling Grades – How We Classify Our Tours
Every redspokes tour is graded using a combination of core metrics and real-world riding considerations. This gives you a clear, honest idea of what to expect—before you arrive.
Core Variables Used in Grading
- Daily Average Distance: Typical kilometres/miles ridden each day.
- Daily Average Ascent: How much climbing you can expect—both cumulative and in key sections.
- Terrain Difficulty: Road surface, trail quality, gradients, remoteness of riding sections.
- Cycling Altitude: Maximum altitude, time spent riding at elevation, and how this may affect fatigue.
Secondary Considerations
- Climate and weather (heat, humidity, wind, exposure)
- Multi-day cumulative fatigue
- Support vehicle availability
- Local conditions (surface quality, roadworks, seasonal variations)
1. MODERATE
Ideal for: reasonably fit cyclists who ride regularly and are comfortable with full days in the saddle.
Moderate tours offer steady, achievable riding with manageable distances and climbs. Terrain is generally good quality—tarmac, gravel roads, or well-maintained tracks—and gradients tend to be gradual rather than steep. Riders will encounter climbs, but nothing prolonged or technically difficult. Altitude remains low or only gently elevated, so acclimatisation is rarely an issue.
These routes are perfect for cyclists who enjoy a challenge but also want time to appreciate cultural stops, scenery, and the social side of the tour. Daily fatigue should be expected, but recovery between stages is realistic.
Typical features:
- 40–70 km per day (25–45 miles)
- Moderate climbs with occasional short steeper sections
- Good-quality surfaces, low altitude
- Suitable for regular social or weekend cyclists
2. CHALLENGING
Ideal for: experienced cyclists with good fitness who ride frequently throughout the year.
Challenging tours include longer days, sustained climbs, and varied surfaces—from smooth tarmac to mixed gravel and rural tracks. Riders should expect some steeper gradients and extended efforts over multiple days. Climate can play a role, especially in hotter or more humid regions, adding an extra layer of exertion.
Altitude may feature on some routes, and while not extreme, it can increase fatigue. These tours demand stamina and consistency, but remain achievable for riders willing to put in steady effort.
Typical features:
- 60–90 km per day (35–55 miles)
- Longer and more frequent climbs
- Mixed surfaces, occasional rougher sections
- Hot or humid weather may be a factor
- Altitude may reach moderately high levels
- Suitable for cyclists comfortable with multi-day endurance riding
3. DIFFICULT
Ideal for: strong, confident cyclists with very good endurance and regular training.
Difficult tours involve high cumulative ascent, repeated long climbs, and extended distances—often in remote or rugged terrain. Surfaces may include rough gravel, broken roads, river-cut sections, or high-altitude mountain passes. Weather, wind exposure, and temperature swings can also add challenge.
Riders will need excellent fitness, good bike handling skills, and the stamina to manage multiple demanding days in a row. Some itineraries include significant altitude exposure, where reduced oxygen intensifies the effort. These tours offer exceptional rewards—spectacular landscapes, true adventure, and unique cultural encounters—but require preparation and resilience.
Typical features:
- 70–110+ km per day (45–70 miles)
- Multiple long climbs and steep gradients
- High cumulative ascent over the tour
- Rougher terrain, remote sections, thinner air at altitude
- Designed for riders confident in their endurance and capability
Need some help?
Still not sure which tour is right for you? Tell us how often you ride, the kind of terrain you enjoy, and your ideal holiday length and we’ll suggest a shortlist of tours that fit you.