Get ready to shreddy!

We’re not big on labels at StokedMTB, but we know it helps to have a reference point. While this scale gives you a baseline, our coaches are pros at reading your riding from the very first moment—often before we even hit the dirt. We’ll meet you exactly where you're at and push you just the right amount to build your confidence.

If you’re ever unsure if a specific group event is a good fit, let’s chat. We’re always happy to help you find the right session to match your current skills and personal goals.

Trail Thermometer: our Scoville Scale for rider self assessment

We’ve ingeniously borrowed from the fiery world of hot peppers to help you determine what level you are riding at.  We've brilliantly adapted the Scoville Scale, usually used for measuring chili pepper heat, to categorize the level of mountain biking skills. Now bikers can gauge their skill and comfort level from bell pepper Newbie and jalapeno Novice (aka “experienced beginner”) to the spicy ghost-pepper of Advanced. We feel this is a clever and spicy way to help folks visualize and self-assess their riding abilities.

  • The Newbie is the "never-ever" rider. You’re as new to navigating a strip of dirt in the forest as you are to the suspension and gears on your bike. What a joyous journey you have ahead of you!

    The Vibe: Everything is brand new. You might be a little nervous about "mountain biking" (the word itself sounds intense!), but you’re excited to see what’s beyond the trailhead. You’re looking for a safe, supportive, and zero-judgment place to start.

    The Focus: We start at the very beginning. We’ll introduce the foundational "Neutral" body position, the mechanical operation of your bike (shifting and braking), and a deep dive into bicycle safety and trail etiquette.

    The Result: You’ll finish your first session feeling empowered, informed, and officially part of the riding community. We absolutely love introducing folks to the sport that means so much to us!

  • The Beginner has some familiarity with cycling or has been out on the dirt enough to see what the buzz is all about. You’ve caught the bug, but you still feel challenged by the bike's controls and the unpredictability of the trail.

    The Vibe: You’re starting to explore, but things can get overwhelming quickly. This often leads to sudden stops or "awkward dismounts" when the terrain gets a little too spicy. You’re ready to stop "winging it" and start building a real foundation.

    The Focus: Mastering the fundamentals is the key to riding safely. In these sessions, we focus on building a stable body position, smooth braking, effective gearing, and the "how-to" of climbing, descending, and cornering.

    The Result: Learning these essential skills is the fastest way to boost your development. You’ll leave with the confidence to stay on the bike, keep your momentum, and maximize your stoke.

  • The Novice has been mountain biking for a while—building fitness, gaining confidence, and starting to truly rule the trails. You’re no longer a beginner, but you’re not quite ready to call yourself an "Intermediate" just yet.

    The Vibe: You’re comfortable on all green-dot trails and most blue squares. However, certain blue features still feel like a "maybe," and while you’ve started exploring black diamonds, you’re still choosing the go-arounds or walking the high-consequence sections.

    The Focus: Our Novice sessions bridge the gap. We move beyond the basics to layer in maneuvers that help you conquer technical climbs, dash through descents, and finally "get sendy" on those drops you’ve been eyeing. We’ll refine your cornering to keep your flow high and your confidence higher.

    The Result: As your technical toolkit grows, so does your stoke. You'll stop surviving the trail and start having more fun than ever!

  • The Intermediate rider is comfortable on blue trails and has likely successfully "cleaned" a few black diamonds. You have a solid grasp of the fundamentals, but they tend to fall apart when the speed picks up or the features get bigger.

    The Vibe: You’re over the "scared" phase, but you’re stuck in the "working too hard" phase. You can get over the roots and rocks, but it feels like a fight. You find yourself losing speed in corners, "clutching" the brakes on descents, and working twice as hard as the riders who seem to just float through the trail.

    The Focus: We move from "survival" to "finesse." We’ll refine your timing and pressure to help you flow through corners without losing speed, pump rollers for "free speed," and conquer rock gardens with momentum rather than muscle. We also start introducing active maneuvers like bunnyhops and technical front-wheel lifts.

    The Result: You’ll stop fighting the trail and start using it. Our goal is to turn those "ugh" moments into "stoked" moments, moving you toward that "Strong Intermediate" level where everything starts to feel effortless.

  • The Advanced rider doesn't just ride the trail; they play with it. You live for the thrill of the double-black diamonds and find yourself seeking out the most adventurous lines through every rock garden.

    The Vibe: You’re comfortable with high-consequence terrain, but you know that in this sport, the learning never actually stops. You’re looking for those "marginal gains"—the extra 5% of speed in a corner, the perfect timing on a high-speed jump, or the finesse to clean a technical climb that stops everyone else in their tracks.

    The Focus: Progression at this level is all about the "fine-tuning." We focus on advanced pressure control, direction changes in the air, and the subtle timing and style that separates a fast rider from a truly elite one.

    The Result: Precision. Whether you’re racing the clock or just racing your buddies, we help you find the flow in the chaos and the speed in the technical.

    (Note: We currently focus our group clinics on Newbie through Intermediate levels. If you’re a Ghost Pepper looking for a custom coaching experience, contact us for a Private Session so we can tailor the terrain to your level.)