Bike Route Rating Guide
This chart explains the Roman Numeral rating system used on this site
to describe various bike route characteristics.
In general, 1 is good, 5 is bad.
Please be aware that it is very difficult to characterize a ride with just
a single number, so be sure to read the route description before you head out.
| Rating |
Terrain |
Traffic |
Scenery |
| 1 |
Basically Flat |
Little or no cars. Mostly paths or rural roads. |
Very Scenic - lots of trees, mountains, water, and other cool stuff like that. |
| 2 |
Some hills, but nothing nasty |
Some traffic but there are usually wide shoulders and/or side paths available. |
Mostly scenic with some urban sections. |
| 3 |
Rolling terrain, with one or two tougher hills. |
Some sections require riding in traffic lanes. |
About half scenic and half urban sections. |
| 4 |
A bit more roll, with several tougher hills. |
Lots of traffic and riding in lanes. |
It could be worse. |
| 5 |
Alps. Long brutal climbs |
Bring your flak jacket. |
It is worse. |
Direction Abbreviations
This table shows the abbreviations used on bike route cue sheets.
Abbreviated directions (left, right, etc) allow more space on the
page for mileage info and comments.
| R |
- Right Turn |
L |
- Left Turn |
| BR |
- Bear to the Right |
BL |
- Bear to the Left |
| S |
- Continue Straight Through Intersection |
X |
- Cross Through Intersection (same as S) |
| XO |
- Cross Over (Overpass) |
XU |
- Cross Under (Underpass) |
| ! |
- Use Caution |
P |
- Pass by a point-of-interest |
|