I'm starting fresh with this one...
I'm looking for one new rider (less than two years off-road), one seasoned rider (at least five years off-road), and, to break any possible ties -- one Rudy. Rudy is just about the most diplomatic guy I know, plus: he's got time on his hands, he was damned near vp, and his body is like a road map of local trail features. 
You game for it Rudy?
The committee will figure out the system, present it to the officers and we'll start using it when we post some new rides!
Post here if you're interested.
As a start, here's the original post by Scott:
At Tuesday's VMB meeting the topic of ride ratings was discussed, and it was a general consensus that ride postings and descriptions could do a better job in this area for those riders who are new to the mountain biking and not familiar with the planned ride. So here is what I have used in the past with a different mountain biking group. It is a condensed version of what is printed in "Mountain Biking Pennsylvania" - which I felt had the best rating system I had seen.
Rides are rated on two criteria: Aerobic Level and Technical Difficulty.
AEROBIC LEVEL RATINGS:
EASY: Flat or gently rolling terrain with no steep or prolonged climbs.
MODERATE: Some hills with climbs that may be short and steep, or longer and more gradual.
STRENUOUS: Multiple or sustained climbs over steep terrain and demanding technical trail.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY RATINGS:
LEVEL 1: Smooth dirt or cinder path (rail trail)
LEVEL 2: Mostly smooth tread with wide hard-pack single track
LEVEL 3: Irregular tread with some rough sections including occasional rocks, roots, logs, and water bars. May include short but steep ascents and descents.
LEVEL 4: Rough tread with few smooth areas. May have steeper and more sustained climbs. Contains a variety of obstacles including rocks, roots, logs, and water bars.
LEVEL 5: Sustained and extreme sections of difficult trail with hazards like rock gardens, slick rocks, logs, and deep water bars. Extreme climbs and descents.
So here is the fun part, and the part that I am guessing will be debated forever Big Grin, ratings for our local trails:
Jordan Creek:
Aerobic Level: Moderate
Technical Scale: Level 3
Description: Approximately 8 miles, nice curvy single track, lots of logs built up for easy crossing, only a few tricky spots and a few decent climbs.
South Mountain Emmaus:
Aerobic Level: Strenuous
Technical Scale: Level 4
Description: Approximately 8 miles. Lots of rocks, logs, and lung busting climbs. Trails tend to be left in a more natural state.
South Mountain Lehigh:
Aerobic Level: Strenuous
Technical Scale: Level 5
Description: Approximately 10 miles. Lots of rocks, logs, and lung busting climbs. Bridges and log stacks are built and maintained on some trails.
Salisbury:
Aerobic Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Technical Scale: Level 4+
Description: 10 miles of fantastic single track. Rocks and logs throughout. Optional rock garden trail.