I belong to 3 clubs in the area and the ride categories are varied. Two clubs base their categories on benchmark climbs (or loops) in the area. The third club has speed ranges for each of the five ride classes, but strangely enough the speed ranges apply to the average for the particular ride, 14-16 mph being very different in the flat versus 75'/mile climbing ride. We do a few club rides on the tandem, the ones that don't have killer climbing. Oh, and most clubs don't start their rides prior to 0900, which burns too much daylight for us.