I would not have taken a new rider on anything but a fire road for sure. My friend went on a long mountain bike trip with us and she was supposed to train for a year prior and she didn't. The 7 days we were out in the middle of nowhere almost did her in. I was mad that she had not taken this more seriously. I didn't get mad at her while we were riding. Just grumbled a lot while everyone else was having a great time while I waited for her every few miles. It was a long trip. In the end I ended up finding her a ride to Moab where we were supposed to end our trip. That was after she hit a sand bar flipped over her handle bars and knocked herself out. She had fractured her cheek bone on that one. I still love her though! But won't do that again unlees I know for sure that person is training. She said she was though so how was I to know?