Loaded bikepacking bikes on an Alberta rail corridor
ABS Route Standard · Working v0.1

More than a line on a map.

ABS routes are published with enough context to help riders understand what they are committing to, what remains uncertain, and when the information was last checked.

Purpose

A common language for Alberta routes.

The Route Standard creates a consistent record for every ABS route. It separates what is known from what is still being developed and makes route maturity, difficulty, logistics and verification visible instead of implied.

This is a working standard. ABS may refine the scales and required fields as the route library grows, but published route history and version information should remain visible when meaningful changes are made.

Route maturity

Know how finished the information is.

01

Development

A concept, partial line or route still being materially changed. It may appear publicly as a project, but it is not presented as a finished navigation resource.

02

Beta

A complete route line has been ridden, but some logistics, access details, surface information or verification work remains incomplete. Riders should expect uncertainty.

03

Verified

The complete route has been field-ridden and the required ABS planning fields have been completed and reviewed. The route page shows the verification date and route version.

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Route Alert

A temporary flag that can be applied to a Beta or Verified route when fire, closure, washout, access change or another issue materially affects the published route.

Archived routes remain visible for historical context when useful, but are no longer maintained or recommended as current ABS routes.
Required route record

What every published route should tell you.

Beta routes may contain clearly marked gaps. Verified routes should have the complete record.

Identity & geometryName, region, route type, distance, climbing, high/low points, GPX and route version.
Ride characterOverall difficulty, physical effort, technical difficulty, remoteness, surface mix and meaningful hike-a-bike.
Trip planningTypical duration, recommended season, start/parking information, direction and any permits or fees.
LogisticsCamping, water, resupply, communities, bailout options and unusually long gaps between services.
Access & stewardshipKnown access constraints, closures, private-land concerns, sensitive areas and community considerations.
VerificationMaturity status, last field verification, update history, route steward/contributors and active alerts.
Difficulty framework

One number cannot tell the whole story.

ABS will show an overall route rating alongside three component ratings. The component scales are descriptive rather than promises about how difficult a route will feel to a particular rider.

Physical effort

  1. 1 — Light: modest sustained effort and generous recovery opportunities.
  2. 2 — Moderate: meaningful daily effort without sustained high-load riding.
  3. 3 — Challenging: repeated long climbs, long days or accumulated fatigue are central to the route.
  4. 4 — Very hard: sustained high daily workload with limited easy mileage.
  5. 5 — Expedition: prolonged effort, major accumulated fatigue or exceptionally demanding daily requirements.

Technical difficulty

  1. 1 — Straightforward: pavement and maintained gravel with minimal technical riding.
  2. 2 — Rough: rough gravel or easy doubletrack; basic off-pavement handling required.
  3. 3 — Technical: rough doubletrack, singletrack, loose surfaces or occasional hike-a-bike.
  4. 4 — Advanced: sustained rocky, loose, steep or technical riding with regular hike-a-bike possible.
  5. 5 — Expert: prolonged technical terrain, difficult route finding or sections requiring advanced bike-handling judgment.

Remoteness

  1. 1 — Connected: frequent services, bailouts and communication.
  2. 2 — Limited gaps: services are reasonably regular and exit options remain practical.
  3. 3 — Remote: long service gaps, intermittent communication and limited bailout options.
  4. 4 — Very remote: substantial distances between help, services or practical exits.
  5. 5 — Expedition: prolonged isolation where self-sufficiency and contingency planning are fundamental.
Overall rating

Context before classification.

ABS overall ratings use five descriptive levels—Accessible, Moderate, Challenging, Difficult and Expedition—but are not generated by a simple formula. Route length, typical itinerary, technical terrain, remoteness, weather exposure and logistical complexity are considered together.

A route rating is planning information, not a safety guarantee. Conditions, weather, fitness, equipment and individual judgment can dramatically change the experience.
Verification & change

Routes are living records.

Every Beta or Verified page should show a route version and last field-verification information. Material changes to access, geometry or logistics should be recorded rather than silently replacing the old route.

ABS can apply a Route Alert whenever credible information suggests that a published route has been materially affected. Rider reports help prioritize re-verification but do not automatically constitute full route verification.

Report a route issue