TORC offers a diverse and enjoyable ride program. Our rides span everything from a beginner friendly spin down the ATT to lung busting climbs in the Pisgah National Forest.

When looking at our ride schedule, there are a couple of key factors to keep in mind: The Make up of the Group and the Location of the Ride.

We want to make each ride as enjoyable as possible to the participants so each ride will have the target audience described in each posting.  TORC determines groupings by fitness and technical ability, it’s up to you to determine where you fit.  Our Ride Groupings are as follows:

• Beginner - These type of guided rides are casual and meant to be enjoyable to everyone that participates.  The target audience are new cyclists or cyclists new to single track.  Rides are typically 1 to 4 miles in length on the easier trails in the area with a minimal amount of climbing.  All of these rides are “No Drop”.  No Drop means there will always be someone riding with or near you.  If for what ever reason you fall behind on the ride, another cyclist will drop back to ride with you for the duration.  These rides are meant to help you build the skills and endurance needed to participate in the longer intermediate level rides.
• Intermediate - This is the middle ground that a large majority of cyclists inhabit.  You’ve got the skills and endurance to ride for 5 to 12 miles on more technical terrain and are looking for new challenges.  Expect there to be more climbing on these rides and as a result more downhill.  This rides are typically “no drop”, if there is any question, please contact the ride coordinator.
• Advanced – Advanced riders have the skills and endurance to handle the longest rides, for TORC that means 20+ mile Epics to backwoods areas.  These rides will include steep climbing and long rocky descents.  These rides are occasionally billed as “no drop” but don’t count on it.   You can expect a 9-10+mph average pace for this type of ride.
• Night Rides – These rides are open to anyone with the proper gear to participate, most notably at least a 10W/200 lumens  head lamp.  Typically there will be an organized group for beginners or those new to night riding.  Intermediate and Advanced riders are encouraged to form groups or enjoy these rides solo.

The other component of a ride is the trail system itself.  Some trail systems are relatively easy and can be navigated by nearly everyone, while other systems will challenge the most experienced and fit riders.  When describing the trails system to be ridden, TORC will use a color code:

• White - A very wide trail (72″) having a hardened surface with very mild average grade and no natural obstacles.  Suitable for all cyclists.  Our local greenways are an excellent example of this type of trail.
• Green - A wide trail (36″) having a firm and stable tread and a very mild average grade.  Some small obstacles (< 2″) as well as avoidable obstacles may be present.  Wide bridges may also be present.  Sections of Lake Crabtree and Harris Lake are good examples of this type of trail.
• Blue - A typical singletrack trail width (24″) having a stable tread with some variability and an mildly challenging average grade.  Unavoidable obstacles of up to 8″ are present as well as larger avoidable obstacles.  Technical trail features may be present.  All trail systems in the Triangle have examples of this level of trail.
• Black - Narrow Singletrack (12″) having a variable tread surface and a challenging average grade.  Unavoidable obstacles of up to 15″ may be present as well as larger avoidable obstacles.  Technical Trail Features (TTF) may be present.  Some sections may exceed criteria.  Sections of Harris Lake, Briar Chapel and Carolina North are examples of this type of trail.
• Double Black – Extremely narrow Singletrack(6″) having an unpredictable tread and a difficult average grade.  Unavoidable obstacles of 15″ or more and narrow unavoidable bridges can be expected.  Technical Trail Features (TTF) may be present, condition of riding surface is unpredictable.  Many sections will exceed criteria.  The best examples of this type of trail system are found outside the Triangle at destinations such as Pisgah National Forest

The basic gear needed to participate in a TORC group ride: A trail worthy bike, a helmet, and some form of hydration.  Participation is free of charge at all local rides, any charge for out of town trips goes to cover cost of camping facilities.

To make it easier to plan a very busy event schedule, TORC uses Meetup as a tool to publish each ride, event and race.  You can view the meetup calendar HERE.

If you’ve just purchased your first mountain bike or you’ve crushed the competition in the Tour Divide, please feel welcome at one or all of our group rides.  See you on the trail……