This page offers a general overview of the basic criteria. There are many other smaller variables which affect the final rating The number of bikes you see on each Atlantic Canada Cycling Suitability Database listing represent the graded rating of the road's overall enjoyment for biking. What are the considerations of what makes a good bike ride? They are very personal. Most feel scenery to be the overall dominant factor. From there, people have different concerns - they include traffic, pavement quality, points of interest, food and accommodations, and wind and weather conditions. Further down the scale, more minor factors are entered, such as whether the road can be connected up to other roads, if it is a dead-end requiring backtracking, the frequency of unleashed dogs, special interest quality to photographers or adventurers, the hospitality level of the local people along route, and roadside litter. Evaluation of a route is affected by the personal interests of the observer, as well as their moods and viewpoints. The exercise of the rating of highways can not fail to be a flexible and personally slanted exercise. Someone, for example, may find cycling a 100 kilometer stretch of forest a time for introspection, an opportunity to study plants or wildlife, or a chance to explore the traces of past pioneers. Others, however, might find such a route an incredible bore, just a long stretch of roadwork before reaching "civilization". One person may consider a strip of seacoast fishing villages quaint and atmospheric, a good opportunity for marine photography. Another, looking for nature, may look at it as "congested", or a "traffic nightmare".

The pros and cons of the many variables affect the final rating. A long, desolate road in the interior normally is not regarded in high regard by typical bicycle tourists. In some cases, however, if it is long and remote enough, it reaches "collector" status. This high regard by a minority of adventure cyclists must be considered, when evaluating roads such as the Trans-Labrador Highway, and long cross-province highways, such as the roads to Burgeo, or Burin Peninsula. Some accept conditions of lower rated roads for different reasons. They are not overly considered for this database, such as bike commuters who accept the dangerous and busy conditions of a highway for a time saving route, or those who select major highways and their flat terrain for training purposes.

Every person has their own idea of what they want to experience while cycling. The ratings consider what is generally acceptable for a widest range of people. There are some general guidelines we can share with you, which are considered when evaluating a highway. Five rated routes are those which consistently bring praise from those who ride them. However, remember that a Four rated route on a great day might be better than a Five on one with poor weather or winds against you - A Three might also by your personal criteria of what you are looking for be a Four. Also remember that an area with many Four and Three rated roads may make for a better region for your vacation overall than one with one Five and the rest routine roads. It is not as simple as looking up the Fives and connecting them up! Keep these complications in mind . A long road can have many highs and lows. A route with a few spectacular stretches, meriting a high rating indeed, can have it nulled by the second half of its route having a less superior quality.

Five Bikes- "World Class"

Four Bikes - "Highly Recommended"

Rated Four roads are the stuff of great cycling. With the realization that Five rated routes are few and far between, focusing on routes with this rating will create a memorable vacation. They should be routed into any itinerary. As mentioned as a caution for those intent on "connecting the Fives", note that a Four rated route on a great day might be better than a Five on one with poor weather or winds against you. Also keep in mind that an area with many Four and Three rated roads may make for a better region for your vacation overall than one with one Five and the rest routine roads. It is not as simple as looking up the Fives and connecting them up!

A Four rated route may have just about as much spectacular stretches as a Five, but over another part of the highway have just enough routine pieces to bring it in at a Four.

Three Bikes- "Middle of the Road"

Rated Three roads are the "default setting". They neither elicit a "you have to see this" emotion, nor a "must to avoid" disclaimer.

These routes are overall worthwhile cycling roads. They usually have an attractive section, but just enough traffic, or less pretty piece to bring it in at the middle rating.

Also falling in place here are the frontier "collector" roads, which have appeal in the eyes of some beholders.

Two Bikes- "A to B" (keep your head down and bike)

Rated Two roads can be described as those which you have forgotten about two hours after you have done them. They are the ones which get you from one interesting area, to another interesting area, hopefully as quickly as possible. You just keep pedaling, and sooner or later you have it behind you.

There are some roads which have a Two rating which have some nice and pretty stretches to them, which if continued the entire way would have merited a 3, or perhaps even a 4. There are others which have a section of traffic or other unpleasantry, which if continued far enough, might arouse awarded of the dreaded and sparingly awarded One rating.

They often include roads along the shore which never get to reveal much water, overburdened roads just outside metropolitan areas, and routine connector roads from major highways to trunk roads.

One Bike - "Musts to avoid"