Bicycling terminology
Encyclopedia
The following terminology is used in the general cycling
, as well as the more specific sports of road bicycle racing
and mountain bicycle racing.
s or courier
s. Alleycat races
seek to replicate some of the duties that a working messenger might encounter during a typical day. The races usually consist of previously undisclosed checkpoints, which are listed on a manifest, that a racer will have to go to; once at the checkpoint the racer will have his/her manifest updated. First racer to return with a completed manifest wins. Alleycats were first formalized in Toronto, Canada in 1989, however messengers have been racing against each other for much longer. Recently, with the boom in urban cycling, many non-messengers have been participating in and organizing alleycat races.
all-rounder: A racing cyclist who excels in both climbing and time trialing, and may also be a decent sprinter. In stage races, an all-rounder seeks a top-10 place in the General Classification
. Eddy Merckx
, Miguel Indurain
and Lance Armstrong
were notable all-rounders; Ivan Basso
, Samuel Sánchez
, Cadel Evans
, and Alberto Contador
are more contemporary examples. All-rounders are usually Team Leaders in both stage races and classics cycle races. The term all-rounder is also applied to a bicycle designed to function well for varied terrain and uses. Unlike the typical bike today which is specifically designed for a narrow range of use and terrain.
arrière du peloton: From French
, literally the "rear of the peloton" (main group of riders).
attack: To quickly accelerate while riding in a pack, or in smaller numbers, with a view to create a gap between yourself and other riders.
autobus
: A group of riders in a stage race
(typically non-climbers and suffering domestiques
) who ride together as a group on the mountain stages with the sole intention of finishing within the stage's time limit to allow them to start the next day. Also known by the Italian
term gruppetto.
BBAR: Short for British Best All-Rounder
, a season-long time trial competition held in the UK.
backie: Colloquial noun meaning to give a second person a ride on a bicycle (UK English), see pump.
berg: The term “berg” means a climb.
beyond category: See hors catégorie
.
Bicycle Shaped Object: Alternatively abbreviated as BSO, a cheaply produced but poor quality bicycle commonly sold in flat packs at big-box store
s, mainstream stores and anywhere else but local bike shop
s.
bidon: A water bottle.
bike bling: An aftermarket component that is designed to enhance the appearance of the bike.
à bloc: Riding or going "à bloc" means giving it all you've got, going all out, riding as hard as one possibly can (which can be dangerous for it leaves one in a state where recovery is needed, and therefore vulnerable to being attacked). Example: "I really gave it all in the last kilometres, although I didn't think it was possible until I crossed the line. I just went 'à bloc' " --Alexander Vinokourov
describing his win of the final stage of the 2005 Tour de France
.
blocking: Riders of one team who set a relatively slow tempo at the front of a group to control the speed, often to the advantage of one of their teammates who may be in a break.
blow up: A rider who has gone into oxygen debt and loses the ability to maintain pace is said to have blown up, variations include popping, exploding and detonating. This is a more temporary condition than cracking or hitting the wall.
bonk: See hit the wall.
booties: Fabric shoe covers worn by cyclists to protect their feet from rain.
bottom bracket: The crank axle assembly (AKA: bottom bracket spindle) to which the crankarms are attached.
bowling ball: Someone coming quickly through the pack after getting caught. Soon to be dropped off the back.
boxed in: To be positioned in a peloton or other pack of riders, regardless of size, such that one is unable to move ahead of the other riders. This usually refers to the sprint where one is unable to improve one's finish placing due to the inability to maneuver around other riders, e.g. "I felt really fast, but the other team had me boxed in the gutter and I couldn't move up."
brain bucket/lid: A bicycle helmet
designed to prevent or lessen damage to the head and face of a rider; this term is considered slightly insulting and is usually used by those advocating not using helmets.
breakaway: Breakaway, or break in short, is when a small group of riders or an individual have successfully opened a gap ahead of the peloton.
bridge: When a lone rider or smaller group of riders closes the space between them and the rider or group in front of them. This term is often used to describe when riders catch up with the main pack (or peloton) of riders or those who are leading the race.
broom wagon: In road bicycle racing
, a synonym for SAG wagon. The broom wagon often has a broom fixed to the front of it. This is a reified metaphor for the action of "sweeping" the course.
bunny hop: To cause one's bicycle to jump into the air without the aid of a ramp. At speed, riders often avoid potholes by bunny hopping, in which the rider compresses his or her weight down and then launches upward, pulling the bike into the air.
: The rate at which a cyclist pedals (in revolutions per minute).
caravane: The team cars following behind the peloton in support of their racers.
Cassette: The rear cog cluster on a derailleur bicycle, that fits on a freehub
. It consists only of cogs, with no ratcheting mechanism, as the ratcheting mechanism is in the freehub.
chain gang
: A group of cyclists cycling in a close knit formation akin to a road race, normally for the purposes of training.
chain slap: Annoying slapping of the bike's chain against the chainstays while riding over rough terrain.
chain suck: The tendency of a chain to stick to chain rings and be sucked up into the bike instead of coming off the chainring. Primarily caused by worn chainrings and rust on small chain rings, under high loads, and in dirty conditions.
chainstay: One of the two frame tubes that run horizontally from the bottom bracket shell back to the rear dropouts.
chase: A group of one or more riders who are ahead of the peloton trying to join the race or stage leader(s). There may be none, one, or many chases at any given point in a race.
chicane: A sequence of tight turns, often s-shaped, usually most important near the finish of a road-race or during a criterium.
climber: A rider who specialises in riding uphill quickly, usually due to having a high power-to-weight ratio.
clincher: A type of tire that uses a bead around the edge of the tire to attach to the rim of the wheel when inflated. The inner tube is separate.
commissaire
: A race judge, in road-racing they are usually based in a car following the event.
counter attack: An attack that is made when a break has been caught by chasers or the peloton.
crack: When a cyclist runs out of strength or energy, they are said to have cracked. Compare with hit the wall.
crankarm: One of the two lever components that attach the bottom bracket spindle to a pedal.
criterium
: A race on a closed short distance course with multiple laps. Often but not always a 4-cornered course; often includes primes (short for premiums and rhymes with 'seems') which are points or prizes for intermediate laps. Course length varies from 800 meters to 5 kilometers.
Cyclocross: A form of bicycle racing that consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike past some obstacles and remount.
descender: A cyclist who excels at fast descents, often using them to break away from a group, or bridge a gap.
domestique
: A rider whose job it is to support and work for other riders in their team (literally "servant" in French).
door prize
: A term used when a rider collides with the open door of a parked car while cycling.
drafting
: To ride closely behind another rider to make maximum use of their slipstream
, reducing wind resistance and effort required to ride at the same speed.
drop: To be dropped is to be left behind a breakaway or the peloton for whatever reason (usually because the rider cannot sustain the tempo required to stay with the group).To drop someone is to accelerate strongly with the intent of causing following riders to no longer gain the benefit of drafting.
dropout
: The slot, of various sizes and orientations, in the frame that the axles of the wheels attach to.
drop-off: A drop-off is a mountain biking
term. Experienced riders who ride on black/red routes may come across them. A drop-off is a step down in the terrain and can range from 20 cm to 20 ft. Most drop offs are met either by downhill riders, or freeride
rs. These riders have long travel suspension bikes above six inches for bigger drops. When attempting a drop off the rider should ensure that the bike lands on its rear wheel, or ideally, both wheels should land at the same time. A front heavy landing may result in the rider being pitched over the handlebars.
: (French
) a line of riders seeking maximum drafting in a crosswind, resulting in a diagonal line across the road.
endo: An Endo (short for end-over-end), is when the back wheel of the bike is lifted off the ground and the bike goes up onto its front wheel only.
espoir: (French: hope) Age category for riders between 19 and 22 years of age.
étape: A stage of a stage race. Also, L'Étape du Tour
, an annual mass-participation event following the route of a stage of the Tour de France.
fast finisher: A rider who has superior sprinting speed and skills over the last few hundred meters than others in the same group, which may include uphill finishes. Similar to a sprinter, but a fast finisher need not be a true sprinter; just one who possesses above average sprinting ability.
feed zone: In road bicycle racing
, a location along the course of a long race where team personnel hand musettes containing food and beverages to passing riders. In mountain bicycle racing, a limited section of the course in which riders may accept food from non-racing assistants. Sometimes this is combined with the technical assistance zone if one exists.
fixed: Slang for a fixed-gear bicycle
.
fixie: Slang for a fixed-gear bicycle
.
flamme rouge: A red flag displayed with one kilometre remaining from the finish line of a race. Usually suspended over the road.
follow: The ability to follow is the ability to match the pace of riders who are setting the tempo. Following is easier than pulling or setting the tempo and the term can be used in a derogatory manner, e.g. "He only ever followed".
food stop: A location on the course of a long, supported recreational ride
from which volunteers dispense foods such as bananas, oranges, bread, and food bars, and beverages such as water and sports drink
s, to riders who stop for refreshment. Most cyclists must eat and drink to replenish calories, fluids, and electrolytes lost while completing a long ride. Thus the food stops are important to the success of most participants. On recreational rides, riders typically stop and dismount to obtain refreshment (hence the term food stop). In contrast, long road bicycle races
do not typically involve stopping for refreshment; instead, riders grab musettes containing food and beverages from team personnel who stand along the road at designated feed zones. In some events, riders obtain food handups directly from support vehicles. *See also: SAG station and SAG wagon.
Fred
: An unskilled racer with aspirations to appear more capable than they in fact are, usually through expensive/high-end gear. The female counterpart is a Wilma. Another commonly used definition is a person who has outdated or mis-matched gear, doesn't care about technology, fashion or racing, etc.
frame set: The main frame of the bicycle plus the front fork.
G.C.: Abbr.: general classification. the timing splits used to determine who is winning in a stage race. calculated from the first rider over the line each day time is then measured back by gaps from the winner of the day. Time gaps are then calculated back between riders and added to the overall position of riders relative to each other. Riders can attack in stage races for time rather than winning the days stage. They are said to be "riding for G.C.". In such circumstances alliances can form where some riders in a breakaway will work to help others win the days stage despite not contesting the finish as the overall gap the breakaway gains helps them "on G.C."
granny gear: Two meanings related to each other:
gruppetto: see autobus.
groupo: Also called a groupset; a complete (usually matching and certified compatible) set of bicycle drive control components. Generally includes the brake calipers, cranks, chainrings, bottom bracket, chain, front & rear derailleurs, cassette, brake and shift levers and the matching cables and housings; and may less commonly also include pedals and headset. The frame, forks, stem, seatpost, saddle, handlebars, hubs, rims, spokes, nipples and tyres are not considered part of a groupo even where manufacturers may market such components under the same product banner.
gutter: To ride in the gutter is to ride close to edge of the road making it hard for others to draft.
hammer: Hammer is used in three different ways in road cycling.
handicap: A style of road racing in Australia where riders are given time handicaps in bunches, with scratch being the last riders to leave and limit being the first riders to leave. The time intervals between groups, and the allocation of riders to groups is decided by the race handicapper, based on rider's ability, age and form. Race honours are usually awarded to the first 5 to 10 riders (depending on the size race) and to the fastest time.
Headset
: The bearing
system in the head tube within which the handlebars rotate.
head down: Similar to "on the rivet" but slightly less extreme. A rider making a serious effort.
hill climb (race): A short distance uphill race, usually an individual time trial over approx. 3–5 km. See Hillclimbing (cycling)
.
Hit the wall: To completely run out of energy
on a long ride, also known as "bonking".
hold a wheel: Similar to follow but more dramatic. Holding a wheel may infer a rider is riding above his normal performance just to stay with a better rider or indicates he is about to be dropped or crack. Expressive "he can't hold the wheel".
honking: (UK English), see danseuse.
hors catégorie, or HC: The French term primarily used in cycle races (most notably, the Tour de France
) to designate a climb that is "beyond categorization", an incredibly tough climb. Most climbs are designated from Category 1 (hardest) to Category 4 (easiest), based on both steepness and length. A climb that is harder than Category 1 is designated as hors catégorie
.
hors delai (HD): A French term literally meaning "out of time", for when a rider has finished outside the time limit in a race and is therefore eliminated.
hunger knock: Also shortened to "the knock". See hit the wall.
: Race where riders set off at fixed intervals and complete the course against the clock; fastest time wins. Drafting is not allowed.
: The keirin is a 2000 metre track event where the riders start the race in a group behind a motorised derny
. The derny paces the riders for 1400 metres and then pulls off the track, at which time the cyclists begin a sprint to the finish line. Keirin racing has traditionally been practised in Japan, where it has been a professional sport for over 20 years, and in which pari-mutuel betting on the riders is permitted.
kick: Accelerating quickly with a few pedalstrokes in an effort to break away from other riders (e.g. "Contador kicks again to try to rid himself of Rasmussen")
knock: Referred to as "the knock". Short for "hunger knock". See hit the wall.
Lanterne rouge
: French for "red lantern", as found at the end of a railway train, and the name given to the rider placed last in a race.
laughing group: Same as autobus. Riders who collect together in a road race just concerned with making it to the finish "in the time" so as not to be disqualified or "swept up". Members of the laughing group are not concerned with contesting the finish.
lead out: Sprinting technique often used by the leadout man where the rider will accelerate to maximum speed close to the sprint point with a teammate, the sprinter, drafting
behind, hoping to create space between the sprinter and the pack. When the leadout man is exhausted he will move to the side to allow his teammate to race in the sprint. Often a line of leadout men will be used to form a leadout train to drive the speed higher and higher (and to reduce the chances of other riders attacking) over the closing stages of a race. The purpose of a leadout is for the sprinter to achieve high speed at the sprint approach using as little of his own energy as possible, so he has as much energy as possible for the final sprint.
leech: A rider in a small group who does not share some of the workload by riding in the front where wind resistance is greatest, but instead conserves their energy by riding in the slipstream
of one of the other riders. By analogy with leech
an animal which feeds on the blood of other animals.
let go: Two meanings, one the opposite meaning of the other
limit: First riders to depart in a handicap race.
: The madison is a mass-start track event comprising teams of two riders per team. It is similar to a team points race, as points are awarded to the top finishers at the intermediate sprints and for the finishing sprint. Only one of the two team riders is racing on the track at any one time, riding for a number of laps, and then exchanging with his partner by a hand sling. The name comes from the original Madison Square Garden
, which was constructed as a velodrome.
MTB: The activity of mountain biking
, or a mountain bike
itself.
musette: Small lightweight cotton shoulder bag, used for containing food and drink given to riders in a feed zone during a cycle race. The bag is designed so that it can be easily grabbed by a moving rider. The shoulder strap is placed over the head and one shoulder, the contents are then removed and placed into jersey pockets or bottles (bidons) are placed into bottle cages. The bag is then discarded.
Muur: wall in english a short very steep climb, from a few dozens to some hundreds meter on a high % of rise until more than 20%. Muur van Geraardsbergen, Kapellemuur, Koppenberg.
omnium: An omnium is a multi-stage event that differs from a stage race in that points are assigned for placing in each stage rather than a time. Therefore a rider may win with a slower time than another rider, but more points. Conceivably a rider can win the omnium without finishing each event.
on the rivet: Describes a rider who is riding at maximum speed. When riding at maximum power output, a road racer often perches on the front tip of the saddle (seat), where the shell of an old-style leather saddle would be attached to the saddle frame with a rivet.
on your wheel: Phrase describing the condition of being very close to the rear wheel of the rider ahead of you. Used to inform the rider that you have positioned yourself in their slipstream for optimum drafting. For example: "I'm on your wheel".
open road race: Generally going from point A to point B; can include multi-laps. Can also mean a club event in which non-club members can enter.
overlap: Riding in a position such that the leading edge of one's front wheel is ahead of the trailing edge of the rear wheel of the bicycle immediately ahead. Overlap is potentially dangerous because of the instability that results if the wheels rub, and the simple fact that it allows the trailing rider to turn only in one direction (away from the wheel of the rider ahead). In road bicycle racing, overlap can be a significant cause of crashes, so beginning riders are instructed to "protect your front wheel" (avoid overlap) whenever riding in a pack.
pack: Verb, meaning to quit a ride (typically a race) prematurely.
palmarès: A list of races a rider has won. (French
, meaning list of achievements or list of winners).
parcours: The profile of the race or stage route. (French
, course, nm.)
pedaling circles: Pedaling smoothly and efficiently.
pedaling squares: Riding with considerable fatigue such that the rider is unable to maintain an efficient pedaling form that is strong and smooth.
Peloton
: (from French
, literally meaning little ball or platoon
and also related to the English
word pellet) is the large main group in a road bicycle race
. May also be called the field, bunch, or pack. Riders in a group save energy
by riding close (drafting
or slipstream
ing) near and, particularly behind, other riders. The reduction in drag is dramatic; in the middle of a well-developed group it can be as much as 40%.
pep: Originating from the popular nickname of a famous Latin American cyclist, "pep" is used as a verb meaning "to carelessly and headlessly ford (as in a small body of water)." For example, "pep" could be used in the sentence "I'm going to pep this creek".
pogo: Lifting the front wheel of the bicycle in the air and jumping up and down on the rear wheel while in a stationary position.
poursuivant: From French
, literally "pursuing" - refers to a cyclist or group of cyclists who are separated from and behind the leader(s) (tête de la course) but in front of the main group (peloton). This usually occurs when a small number of riders attempt to catch up to the leaders, either to join with them or to "bring them back to the pack" by encouraging the main group to chase them down.
power: The rate at which effective energy is being transferred by the cyclist's legs. Measured through a power meter and normally expressed in watts.
prime: Primes are intermediate sprints within a race, usually offering a prize and/or points. Primes are a way to encourage more competitive riding, and also an opportunity for companies to gain publicity by sponsoring a prime. In a criterium
, a bell is sounded on the lap preceding the prime sprint at the appropriate line for that prime sprint. The line used for prime sprints need not be the same as the start or finish line. Primes may be either predetermined for certain laps or spontaneously designated under the supervision of the Chief Referee. All primes won shall be awarded to riders even if they withdraw from the race. Lapped riders are not eligible for primes except in the following situation: when a breakaway has lapped the main field, riders in the main field and the breakaway riders are then both eligible for primes. When primes are announced for a given group, only riders in that group or behind it at the beginning of the prime lap are eligible. Prizes can be cash, merchandise, or points, depending on the race.
prologue: A short individual time trial before a stage race, used to determine which rider wears the leader's jersey on the first stage.
pull: To take the lead on a paceline or echelon.
pull back time: To pull back time is to make up time on another rider who is ahead on G.C. "he needs to "pull back" two minutes if he wants to get in yellow".
pull it back: to work to reduce the lead of a breakaway, also used as "he needs to pull him back" or "they need to pull him back".
pump: colloquial verb meaning to give a second person a ride on a bicycle, also known as giving a hike. The passenger may balance on the handlebars or the seat, while the biker stands to pedal.
rim: The outer portion of the wheel, on which the tire attaches.
road race: a race on a road.
road rash: Severe skin abrasions caused from sliding on the asphalt in a crash.
rollers: A type of trainer composed of rolling cylinders under the rear wheel linked to a single rolling cylinder under the front wheel which allow the rider to practice balance while training indoors.
rotating weight: Weight (more correctly mass
) that is rotating
while the bike is moving, particularly the wheels. Mass near the outside edge of a wheel has about twice the stored energy
of a similar non-rotating mass moving at the same speed. A bicycle wheel can be considered to be a good approximation of a hollow cylinder
with most of its mass at or near the rim. The rotation of cranks, wheel hubs, and other parts are of less significance because both their radius and speed of rotation (angular velocity
) are small. All mass resists changes in velocity
(acceleration
or deceleration) due to inertia
. This resistance is noticeably greater where rotational inertia is also a significant component, so lighter wheel rims, spoke nipple
s, and tire
s will permit faster acceleration (or the same acceleration for less expenditure of energy). This effect is much reduced at lower speeds such as during hill climbing.
rouleur: A rider who is strong on flat and undulating roads. The rider is well suited for races such as Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders
. Tom Boonen
and Fabian Cancellara
are examples of this.
SAG wagon: Support motor vehicle following long races
or recreational rides to pick up riders unable to complete the event. See also: food stop and SAG station. In racing events, typically the main group of riders will ride as a peloton and can be served by one or more SAG wagons trailing behind. In large recreational rides, there may be thousands of riders spread over much of the course, so ride organizers may employ roving SAG wagons to locate and assist stranded riders. In bicycle racing
, another term for SAG wagon is broom wagon.
swag: Promotional items often given away for free at cycling events. Backronym
for "Souvenirs, Wearables And Gifts" and "Stuff We All Get". Also spelled "schwag", "shwag".
scratch: Last riders to depart in a handicap race. Also referred to as the "scratch bunch" or "scratchies". Also, a straightforward type of track race with a predetermined number of laps (except in the case of an "unknown scratch," when officials ring a bell to signify one lap to go) until the finish line.
Shapes: To pull or throw shapes (origin: Irish slang for acting the "hard man") is to pedal in an ungainly and un-fluid manner, usually due to exertion; a sign that a rider is about to crack or has cracked. Can be used in expressive ways: "He's throwing a whole basket of shapes".
shelled: A rider who is having extreme difficulty keeping up with a fast pace race in a way they did not anticipate. A rider who is shelled will use up all their energy so they have nothing left for the finishing sprint, drop back out of contention, or abandon the race altogether.
Shifter
: A component used by the rider to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. It is usually connected to the derailleur by a mechanical actuation cable. Electronic shifting systems also exist.
singles: Australian English for tubular tyres.
sit up: In a race, if a rider eases his or her efforts and stops pulling or maintaining the pace of the group, the rider is said to have sat up.
sit-on and sit-in: To ride behind another rider without taking a turn on the front (thus tiring the lead rider), often in preparation for an attack or sprint finish. "Sitting in the wheels" is to take an easy ride drafted by the peloton or gruppetto. Often a strategic decision to save energy in 21 day stage race.
soft break: A breakaway that is allowed to go from the peloton in a stage race because it poses no strategic threat to any of the main contenders on GC. In French terminology a soft break is a "dishonest break".
soigneur: A non-riding member of a team whose role is to provide support for the riders, possibly including transportation and organization of supplies, preparation of the team's food, post-ride massages and personal encouragement.
sprinter
: Rider with the ability to generate very high power over short periods (a few seconds to a minute) allowing for great finishing speeds, but usually unable to sustain sufficiently high power over long periods to be a good time triallist, and is usually too big to have a high enough power-to-weight ratio to be a good climber.
sprints: British term for tubular tyres.
squares: Similar to shapes. pedaling squares is pedaling without fluid rhythm. Pedaling in a labored fashion.
stage: One part of a multi-day race, such as the Tour de France
.
stagiaire: An amateur rider, who is taken in by a professional team during the season. This lets the rider get some experience at riding a few pro races, and the team gets a chance to assess the abilities of the rider.
stair gap: A freeride term, used to describe a landing in terms of when cycling off a set of stairs.
steerer tube
: The part of the fork that is inserted into the head tube
of the frame
, and is used to attach the fork to the frame using a headset
.
stem
: The component that attaches the handlebars to the steer tube of the bicycle. They come in two major types, quill and threadless. The angle and length plays a major part in how the bicycle fits the rider.
: A team of professional cyclists. Usually one rider will be the team leader and the others will support him, though the team itself will be composed of a mix of riders from the various specialisations.
team time trial: Riders start in groups or teams, usually of a fixed size. The time of the nth rider of a team counts for the classification for each team member. In the 2009 edition of Tour de France
, riders who are dropped from their team's group would be scored with their own time, instead of the team time.
technical assistance zone: A designated section along the course of a mountain bike or cyclocross race along which riders are allowed to accept technical assistance (tools, spare parts, or mechanical work) from another person. In cyclocross racing the technical assistance zone is called the "pit". Not all mountain bike races contain a technical assistance zone, instead requiring riders to carry whatever tools and spare parts they may need. A rider accepting technical assistance outside of the designated zone risks disqualification.
tempo: Steady pace at the front of a group of riders. A relatively fast tempo can be used by a group or team to control the peloton, often to make up time to a break. The group will ride at the head of the bunch and set a fast enough pace to stretch the peloton out (also known as stringing out) and discourage other riders from attacking. Setting a slower tempo can be done for the purpose of blocking. A tempo is also a type of track race where two points are awarded to the first person to cross the line each lap, and one point is awarded to the second person to cross the line each lap. The winner is the person with the most points at the end of the race.
tempo pace: A level of exertion just below the rider's anaerobic threshold. Used as a reference point in training, this is the highest level of exertion that a given rider can sustain.
tester: A time-trialist who tends to over-specialize in the discipline. Slightly derogatory.
tête de la course: From French
, literally "head of the race" - the leading cyclist or group of cyclists, when separated from (in front of) the peloton.
ticket collector: A rider that sits at the back of a breakaway but doesn't take a pull. Thus the rider gets a free ride similar to a ticket collector on a train who rides for free.
tifosi: The word is commonly used to describe fans along the roadside at professional road cycling races in Italy such as Tirreno–Adriatico, Milan – San Remo, the Giro d'Italia, and the Giro di Lombardia.
Time trial
: A race against the clock where riders are started separately (ranging from 30 seconds to 5 minutes apart). The winner of the race is determined by the fastest person across the course. No drafting may be employed in a time trial as it is a solo race event.
Time trialist
: A rider that can generate relatively high power over long periods of time (5 minutes to an hour or more) in a race against the clock.
track: An oval cycling track for races, banked at up to 50 degrees. Cycling tracks are usually, but not always indoors. Bicycling or cycle tracks are also called velodromes. An Olympic track is generally 250m long.
Trail Angel: a generous individual or group of individuals that provide acts of kindness to participants of outdoor events, on hiking trails or various biking routes. Trail angels are closely associated with trail magic. "Trail Angels" are commonly referred to in online hiking journals as friends of hikers, relatives or others persons who will often provide food, transportation, etc. to hikers on the trail.
trainer: A piece of equipment that a bicycle stands on so that the rear wheel can spin while the bicycle is stationary, allowing stationary riding. These are usually used when the conditions outside are bad.
true sprinter: Also known as old school sprinter. A rider who excels primarily in sprint finishes on flat to mildly uphill terrain. Often too heavy to compete in longer or steeper uphill courses.
Tubular tyres
: Tubular tyres are cycle tyres that have the inner tube permanently stitched inside the casing. They are held in place using glue or glue-tape, and are affixed to rims which lack the sidewalls characteristic of a hook-bead rim. Tubulars take very high pressure (up to 10 bar or 145 psi, or higher for racing and track-specific tires) which reduces their rolling resistance. They typically result in wheelsets that are lower in overall weight than comparable clincher wheels, because of the shape of the rim, the tire construction, and the lack of rim strips. Tubulars can be ridden at lower pressures than clinchers without the risk of pinch flats, because of the shape of the rim. This makes them well-suited to cyclo-cross, especially in muddy conditions where low tire pressures are used. However, they are difficult to replace and repair and are generally more expensive than clinchers. Also called sew-ups, tubies, or tub.
turbo-trainer: A trainer that spins a fan assembly at the same time (for pedal resistance and air flow).
turn: A turn is a rider sharing the workload on a pace line "he took a turn" or "he is doing a lot of turns on the front". Missing turns can be expressed thus "he has missed a few turns now and has stopped working". In a breakaway the riders expect to share the work equally in "turns". A rider who doesn't take his turn is "sitting on the break".
, similar to a hybrid bicycle
.
wheelsucker: A rider who sits on the rear wheel of others in a group or on another rider, enjoying the draft but not working.
wheelie: Lifting the front wheel of the bicycle in the air whilst riding and continue to ride on only the back wheel. The rider maintains the wheelie by applying pedalstrokes and rear brake in order to balance the bicycle on only the rear wheel.
with: In contexts such as "riding with" and "finished with" used to mean "next to each other or one behind another, close enough to be drafting". Example: "Samuel Dumoulin (Française Des Jeux) and Simon Gerrans (Ag2r-Prevoyance) joined up with the leading four and set about working well together".
WOL
: Abbreviation of wide outside lane. An outside lane on a roadway that is wide enough to be safely shared side-by-side by a bicycle and motor vehicle. The road may be marked with partial lane markings to designate the portion of the lane to be used by bicycles.
work: To work is to do "turns on the front", to aid a group of riders by sharing the workload of working against air resistance by "pulling on the front" of the group. Similar to pull. Often used expressively in combination with other expressions: e.g. "He hasn't done any work all day, he has just sat on the breakaway." Working is used in many contexts in the peloton and road racing.
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, as well as the more specific sports of road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
and mountain bicycle racing.
A
alleycat: A bicycle race typically organized by bicycle messengerBicycle messenger
Bicycle messengers are people who work for courier companies carrying and delivering items by bicycle. Bicycle messengers are most often found in the central business districts of metropolitan areas...
s or courier
Courier
A courier is a person or a company who delivers messages, packages, and mail. Couriers are distinguished from ordinary mail services by features such as speed, security, tracking, signature, specialization and individualization of express services, and swift delivery times, which are optional for...
s. Alleycat races
Alleycat races
An Alley Cat race is an informal bicycle race. Alley Cats almost always take place in cities, and are often organized by bicycle messengers. The informality of the organization is matched by the emphasis on taking part, rather than simple competition...
seek to replicate some of the duties that a working messenger might encounter during a typical day. The races usually consist of previously undisclosed checkpoints, which are listed on a manifest, that a racer will have to go to; once at the checkpoint the racer will have his/her manifest updated. First racer to return with a completed manifest wins. Alleycats were first formalized in Toronto, Canada in 1989, however messengers have been racing against each other for much longer. Recently, with the boom in urban cycling, many non-messengers have been participating in and organizing alleycat races.
all-rounder: A racing cyclist who excels in both climbing and time trialing, and may also be a decent sprinter. In stage races, an all-rounder seeks a top-10 place in the General Classification
General Classification
The general classification in bicycle racing is the category that tracks overall times for bicycle riders in multi-stage bicycle races...
. Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
, Miguel Indurain
Miguel Indurain
Miguel Ángel Indurain Larraya is a retired Spanish road racing cyclist. He won five consecutive Tour de Frances from 1991 and 1995, the first to do so, and the fourth athlete to win five times. He won the Giro d'Italia twice, becoming one of only seven people in history to achieve the Giro Tour...
and Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
were notable all-rounders; Ivan Basso
Ivan Basso
Ivan Basso is an Italian professional road bicycle racer who is currently racing with UCI ProTeam . Basso, nicknamed Ivan the Terrible, is among the best mountain riders in the professional field in the 21st century, and is considered one of the strongest stage race riders...
, Samuel Sánchez
Samuel Sánchez
Samuel Sánchez González is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer. He was the gold medal winner in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Men's Road Race. In recent years Sánchez has proven himself in hilly classics and stage races as one of the most important riders in the peloton...
, Cadel Evans
Cadel Evans
Cadel Lee Evans is an Australian professional racing cyclist and winner of the 2011 Tour de France. Early in his career, Evans was a champion mountain biker, winning the World Cup in 1998 and 1999 and placing seventh in the men's cross-country mountain bike race at the 2000 Summer Olympics in...
, and Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
are more contemporary examples. All-rounders are usually Team Leaders in both stage races and classics cycle races. The term all-rounder is also applied to a bicycle designed to function well for varied terrain and uses. Unlike the typical bike today which is specifically designed for a narrow range of use and terrain.
arrière du peloton: From French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, literally the "rear of the peloton" (main group of riders).
attack: To quickly accelerate while riding in a pack, or in smaller numbers, with a view to create a gap between yourself and other riders.
autobus
Autobus (cycling)
The autobus or the gruppetto is in bicycling terminology the name given to the group of cyclists in a road cycling race who form a large group behind the leading peloton....
: A group of riders in a stage race
Stage (bicycle race)
In sports, a stage, or leg, or heat, is a unit of a race which has been divided in several parts for the reason such as length of the distance to be covered, as in a multi-day event. Usually, such a race consists of "ordinary" stages, but sometimes stages are held as an individual time trial or a...
(typically non-climbers and suffering domestiques
Cycling domestique
A domestique is a road bicycle racer who works for the benefit of his team and leader. The French domestique translates as "servant". In Italy and Spain, the term gregario is used, while in Belgium and the Netherlands the term knecht or helper are used...
) who ride together as a group on the mountain stages with the sole intention of finishing within the stage's time limit to allow them to start the next day. Also known by the Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
term gruppetto.
B
bag of spanners: To totally lose all ability to pedal smoothly after overexertion but still remain on one's bike. Expressive: "He's pedaling like a bag of spanners".BBAR: Short for British Best All-Rounder
British Best All-Rounder
The British Best All-Rounder competition, organised by Cycling Time Trials, is an annual British cycle-racing competition. It ranks riders by their average speeds in individual time trials, over 50 and and 12 hours for men, and over 25, 50 and for women. There are similar competitions for...
, a season-long time trial competition held in the UK.
backie: Colloquial noun meaning to give a second person a ride on a bicycle (UK English), see pump.
berg: The term “berg” means a climb.
beyond category: See hors catégorie
Hors Categorie
Hors catégorie is a French term used in cycle races to designate a climb that is "beyond categorization", an incredibly tough climb. Most climbs in cycling are designated from Category 1 to Category 4 , based on both steepness and length...
.
Bicycle Shaped Object: Alternatively abbreviated as BSO, a cheaply produced but poor quality bicycle commonly sold in flat packs at big-box store
Big-box store
A big-box store is a physically large retail establishment, usually part of a chain. The term sometimes also refers, by extension, to the company that operates the store...
s, mainstream stores and anywhere else but local bike shop
Local bike shop
A local bike shop or local bicycle shop is a small business specializing in bicycle sale, maintenance and parts. The expression distinguishes small bicycle shops from large chains and mail-order or online vendors is abbreviated LBS...
s.
bidon: A water bottle.
bike bling: An aftermarket component that is designed to enhance the appearance of the bike.
à bloc: Riding or going "à bloc" means giving it all you've got, going all out, riding as hard as one possibly can (which can be dangerous for it leaves one in a state where recovery is needed, and therefore vulnerable to being attacked). Example: "I really gave it all in the last kilometres, although I didn't think it was possible until I crossed the line. I just went 'à bloc' " --Alexander Vinokourov
Alexander Vinokourov
Alexander Nikolaevich Vinokourov, also written Alexandre Vinokourov, is an ethnically Russian Kazakhstani professional road bicycle racer who currently competes with the UCI ProTeam Astana...
describing his win of the final stage of the 2005 Tour de France
2005 Tour de France
The 2005 Tour de France was the 92nd Tour de France, taking place from July 2 to July 24, 2005. It comprised 21 stages over 3592.5 km, the winner's average speed was 41.654 km/h. The first stages were held in the département of the Vendée, for the third time in 12 years. The 2005 Tour was...
.
blocking: Riders of one team who set a relatively slow tempo at the front of a group to control the speed, often to the advantage of one of their teammates who may be in a break.
blow up: A rider who has gone into oxygen debt and loses the ability to maintain pace is said to have blown up, variations include popping, exploding and detonating. This is a more temporary condition than cracking or hitting the wall.
bonk: See hit the wall.
booties: Fabric shoe covers worn by cyclists to protect their feet from rain.
bottom bracket: The crank axle assembly (AKA: bottom bracket spindle) to which the crankarms are attached.
bowling ball: Someone coming quickly through the pack after getting caught. Soon to be dropped off the back.
boxed in: To be positioned in a peloton or other pack of riders, regardless of size, such that one is unable to move ahead of the other riders. This usually refers to the sprint where one is unable to improve one's finish placing due to the inability to maneuver around other riders, e.g. "I felt really fast, but the other team had me boxed in the gutter and I couldn't move up."
brain bucket/lid: A bicycle helmet
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
designed to prevent or lessen damage to the head and face of a rider; this term is considered slightly insulting and is usually used by those advocating not using helmets.
breakaway: Breakaway, or break in short, is when a small group of riders or an individual have successfully opened a gap ahead of the peloton.
bridge: When a lone rider or smaller group of riders closes the space between them and the rider or group in front of them. This term is often used to describe when riders catch up with the main pack (or peloton) of riders or those who are leading the race.
broom wagon: In road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
, a synonym for SAG wagon. The broom wagon often has a broom fixed to the front of it. This is a reified metaphor for the action of "sweeping" the course.
bunny hop: To cause one's bicycle to jump into the air without the aid of a ramp. At speed, riders often avoid potholes by bunny hopping, in which the rider compresses his or her weight down and then launches upward, pulling the bike into the air.
C
cadenceCadence (cycling)
In cycling, cadence is the number of revolutions of the crank per minute; roughly speaking, this is the rate at which a cyclist is pedalling/turning the pedals...
: The rate at which a cyclist pedals (in revolutions per minute).
caravane: The team cars following behind the peloton in support of their racers.
Cassette: The rear cog cluster on a derailleur bicycle, that fits on a freehub
Freehub
A freehub is a type of bicycle hub that incorporates a ratcheting mechanism, and the name freehub is a registered trademark of Shimano. A set of sprockets are mounted onto a splined shaft of the freehub to engage the chain...
. It consists only of cogs, with no ratcheting mechanism, as the ratcheting mechanism is in the freehub.
chain gang
Chain gang (cycling)
In the sport of cycling, a chain gang is a group of cyclists in a close knit formation usually of two parallel lines.The formation comes from the fact that it is harder to cycle at the front of a group than in the shelter of another rider. The rider behind enjoys the slipstream of the rider in front...
: A group of cyclists cycling in a close knit formation akin to a road race, normally for the purposes of training.
chain slap: Annoying slapping of the bike's chain against the chainstays while riding over rough terrain.
chain suck: The tendency of a chain to stick to chain rings and be sucked up into the bike instead of coming off the chainring. Primarily caused by worn chainrings and rust on small chain rings, under high loads, and in dirty conditions.
chainstay: One of the two frame tubes that run horizontally from the bottom bracket shell back to the rear dropouts.
chase: A group of one or more riders who are ahead of the peloton trying to join the race or stage leader(s). There may be none, one, or many chases at any given point in a race.
chicane: A sequence of tight turns, often s-shaped, usually most important near the finish of a road-race or during a criterium.
climber: A rider who specialises in riding uphill quickly, usually due to having a high power-to-weight ratio.
clincher: A type of tire that uses a bead around the edge of the tire to attach to the rim of the wheel when inflated. The inner tube is separate.
commissaire
Commissaire (cycling)
A commissaire is an official in competitive cycling, usually seen with a copy of the racing rules, a stopwatch and a clipboard. Commissaires are similar to judges or referees in other sports — a commissaire is the person in charge of the race and the Chief Commissaire has the power to shut...
: A race judge, in road-racing they are usually based in a car following the event.
counter attack: An attack that is made when a break has been caught by chasers or the peloton.
crack: When a cyclist runs out of strength or energy, they are said to have cracked. Compare with hit the wall.
crankarm: One of the two lever components that attach the bottom bracket spindle to a pedal.
criterium
Criterium
A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course , often run on closed-off city center streets....
: A race on a closed short distance course with multiple laps. Often but not always a 4-cornered course; often includes primes (short for premiums and rhymes with 'seems') which are points or prizes for intermediate laps. Course length varies from 800 meters to 5 kilometers.
Cyclocross: A form of bicycle racing that consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike past some obstacles and remount.
D
danseuse: ( - to dance) - riding out of the saddle, standing up, usually in a taller gear than normal, and rocking side to side for leverage. The phrase dancing on the pedals is related.descender: A cyclist who excels at fast descents, often using them to break away from a group, or bridge a gap.
domestique
Cycling domestique
A domestique is a road bicycle racer who works for the benefit of his team and leader. The French domestique translates as "servant". In Italy and Spain, the term gregario is used, while in Belgium and the Netherlands the term knecht or helper are used...
: A rider whose job it is to support and work for other riders in their team (literally "servant" in French).
door prize
Door zone
The door zone is the space spanning about four feet from the sides of parallel parked cars. It is hazardous to ride a bicycle or motorcycle in a door zone because if a door is suddenly opened, the cyclist must either crash into it , brake suddenly, or swerve into the adjacent lane of traffic...
: A term used when a rider collides with the open door of a parked car while cycling.
drafting
Drafting (racing)
Drafting or slipstreaming is a technique where two vehicles or other moving objects are caused to align in a close group reducing the overall effect of drag due to exploiting the lead object's slipstream...
: To ride closely behind another rider to make maximum use of their slipstream
Slipstream
A slipstream is a region behind a moving object in which a wake of fluid is moving at velocities comparable to the moving object . The term slipstream also applies to the similar region adjacent to an object with a fluid moving around it...
, reducing wind resistance and effort required to ride at the same speed.
drop: To be dropped is to be left behind a breakaway or the peloton for whatever reason (usually because the rider cannot sustain the tempo required to stay with the group).To drop someone is to accelerate strongly with the intent of causing following riders to no longer gain the benefit of drafting.
dropout
Dropout (bicycle part)
A bicycle dropout is a type of fork end that allows the rear wheel to be removed without first derailing the chain. The more inclusive term fork end refers to a slot in a frame or fork where the axle of the wheel is attached....
: The slot, of various sizes and orientations, in the frame that the axles of the wheels attach to.
drop-off: A drop-off is a mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
term. Experienced riders who ride on black/red routes may come across them. A drop-off is a step down in the terrain and can range from 20 cm to 20 ft. Most drop offs are met either by downhill riders, or freeride
Freeride
Freeride is a discipline of mountain biking closely related to downhill cycling and dirt jumping focused on tricks, style, and technical trail features. It is now recognized as one of the most popular disciplines within mountain biking....
rs. These riders have long travel suspension bikes above six inches for bigger drops. When attempting a drop off the rider should ensure that the bike lands on its rear wheel, or ideally, both wheels should land at the same time. A front heavy landing may result in the rider being pitched over the handlebars.
E
echelonEchelon formation
An echelon formation is a military formation in which members are arranged diagonally. Each member is stationed behind and to the right , or behind and to the left , of the member ahead...
: (French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
) a line of riders seeking maximum drafting in a crosswind, resulting in a diagonal line across the road.
endo: An Endo (short for end-over-end), is when the back wheel of the bike is lifted off the ground and the bike goes up onto its front wheel only.
espoir: (French: hope) Age category for riders between 19 and 22 years of age.
étape: A stage of a stage race. Also, L'Étape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour is an organised mass participation cyclosportive event that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage...
, an annual mass-participation event following the route of a stage of the Tour de France.
F
false flat: A low-gradient climb, usually occurring partway up a steeper climb. So-called because while it may look deceptively flat and easy (especially after the steep climb preceding it), it is still a climb.fast finisher: A rider who has superior sprinting speed and skills over the last few hundred meters than others in the same group, which may include uphill finishes. Similar to a sprinter, but a fast finisher need not be a true sprinter; just one who possesses above average sprinting ability.
feed zone: In road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
, a location along the course of a long race where team personnel hand musettes containing food and beverages to passing riders. In mountain bicycle racing, a limited section of the course in which riders may accept food from non-racing assistants. Sometimes this is combined with the technical assistance zone if one exists.
- Ideally, a feed zone should be along a long, uncongested straight section of road, with a wide shoulder for team personnel and vehicles. A slight uphill is desirable, as it will slow the passing riders and make grabbing the musettes easier; the grade should not be so steep as to cause the riders to struggle. The roadway approaching the feed zone should be straight with a long unobstructed sightline, so riders may easily identify the personnel from their teams and position themselves for a smooth pickup.
fixed: Slang for a fixed-gear bicycle
Fixed-gear bicycle
A fixed-gear bicycle is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast, as the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving....
.
fixie: Slang for a fixed-gear bicycle
Fixed-gear bicycle
A fixed-gear bicycle is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast, as the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving....
.
flamme rouge: A red flag displayed with one kilometre remaining from the finish line of a race. Usually suspended over the road.
follow: The ability to follow is the ability to match the pace of riders who are setting the tempo. Following is easier than pulling or setting the tempo and the term can be used in a derogatory manner, e.g. "He only ever followed".
food stop: A location on the course of a long, supported recreational ride
Bicycle touring
Bicycle touring is cycling over long distances – prioritizing pleasure and endurance over utility or speed. Touring can range from single day 'supported' rides — e.g., rides to benefit charities — where provisions are available to riders at stops along the route, to multi-day...
from which volunteers dispense foods such as bananas, oranges, bread, and food bars, and beverages such as water and sports drink
Sports drink
A sports drink beverage is designed to help athletes rehydrate when fluids are depleted after training or competition. Electrolyte replacement promotes proper rehydration, which is important in delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise...
s, to riders who stop for refreshment. Most cyclists must eat and drink to replenish calories, fluids, and electrolytes lost while completing a long ride. Thus the food stops are important to the success of most participants. On recreational rides, riders typically stop and dismount to obtain refreshment (hence the term food stop). In contrast, long road bicycle races
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
do not typically involve stopping for refreshment; instead, riders grab musettes containing food and beverages from team personnel who stand along the road at designated feed zones. In some events, riders obtain food handups directly from support vehicles. *See also: SAG station and SAG wagon.
Fred
Fred (bicycling)
Fred is a derisive term used by "serious" road cyclists to describe other cyclists who do not conform to serious road cyclists' norms with regard to dress and equipment, and appear amateurish to them. The term is generally reserved for men, while the female Fred is sometimes called a Doris.The...
: An unskilled racer with aspirations to appear more capable than they in fact are, usually through expensive/high-end gear. The female counterpart is a Wilma. Another commonly used definition is a person who has outdated or mis-matched gear, doesn't care about technology, fashion or racing, etc.
frame set: The main frame of the bicycle plus the front fork.
G
gap: A distance between two or more riders large enough for drafting to no longer be effective. Also used as verb (US English), for example: "Contador has gapped Armstrong!". It's much easier for a stronger rider to pull ahead of others once a gap has been achieved; without a gap, the others can draft along using significantly less power to sustain the same speed as the rider in front. While gaps are usually achieved through attacks, on mountain climbs, where slower speeds means the advantage of drafting is much less significant, riders are often gapped who simply cannot maintain the tempo of the faster riders. A gap can also refer to the space in between a jump and the landing, which is common in mountain biking.G.C.: Abbr.: general classification. the timing splits used to determine who is winning in a stage race. calculated from the first rider over the line each day time is then measured back by gaps from the winner of the day. Time gaps are then calculated back between riders and added to the overall position of riders relative to each other. Riders can attack in stage races for time rather than winning the days stage. They are said to be "riding for G.C.". In such circumstances alliances can form where some riders in a breakaway will work to help others win the days stage despite not contesting the finish as the overall gap the breakaway gains helps them "on G.C."
granny gear: Two meanings related to each other:
- The lowest gear ratio on a multi-speed derailleurDerailleur gearsDerailleur gears are a variable-ratio transmission system commonly used on bicycles, consisting of a chain, multiple sprockets of different sizes, and a mechanism to move the chain from one sprocket to another...
bicycle; smallest chainring in front and the largest at the back. - The smallest chainring on a crank with triple chainrings.
gruppetto: see autobus.
groupo: Also called a groupset; a complete (usually matching and certified compatible) set of bicycle drive control components. Generally includes the brake calipers, cranks, chainrings, bottom bracket, chain, front & rear derailleurs, cassette, brake and shift levers and the matching cables and housings; and may less commonly also include pedals and headset. The frame, forks, stem, seatpost, saddle, handlebars, hubs, rims, spokes, nipples and tyres are not considered part of a groupo even where manufacturers may market such components under the same product banner.
gutter: To ride in the gutter is to ride close to edge of the road making it hard for others to draft.
H
half-wheel or half-wheeler: A rider that rides half a wheel in front of another on training rides and group rides. No matter how much the pursuer speeds up to keep up with him/her, s/he stays that distance ahead. Usually these people are frowned upon and less desirable to ride with.hammer: Hammer is used in three different ways in road cycling.
- as a phrase describing what happens to a rider who suddenly loses the ability to race, as in "The man with the hammer got him" or "He got hit by the man with hammer". This is a reference to the experience boxers have when their legs become powerless and weak just before collapsing (as if they have been hit with a hammer) following a severe blow to the head. The abruptness with which this happens differentiates it from hitting the wall. Alternative expressions are "'tapped'" short for "he got tapped by the man with hammer".
- "to put the hammer down" means to pedal hard, often with the purpose of trying to eliminate opponents in a road race. As in the phrase "We really put the hammer down and sprinted to the end". Some commentators have been known to reference a wide range of workshop tools in their ongoing search for sporting metaphor.
- more literally, the verb "to hammer" refers to pounding along powerfully on the pedals, e.g. "Leipheimer really hammered hard for the entirety of stage 19".
handicap: A style of road racing in Australia where riders are given time handicaps in bunches, with scratch being the last riders to leave and limit being the first riders to leave. The time intervals between groups, and the allocation of riders to groups is decided by the race handicapper, based on rider's ability, age and form. Race honours are usually awarded to the first 5 to 10 riders (depending on the size race) and to the fastest time.
Headset
Headset (bicycle part)
The headset is the set of components on a bicycle that provides a rotatable interface between the bicycle fork and the head tube of the bicycle frame itself. The short tube through which the steerer of the fork passes is called the head tube. A typical headset consists of two cups that are pressed...
: The bearing
Bearing (mechanical)
A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement. Bearings may be classified broadly according to the motions they allow and according to their principle of operation as well as by the directions of applied loads they can...
system in the head tube within which the handlebars rotate.
head down: Similar to "on the rivet" but slightly less extreme. A rider making a serious effort.
hill climb (race): A short distance uphill race, usually an individual time trial over approx. 3–5 km. See Hillclimbing (cycling)
Hillclimbing (cycling)
A hill climb is a cycling event, as well as a basic skill of the sport. As events a hill climb may either be an individual time trial or a regular road race. A hill climb usually represents an event which gains altitude continuously, usually terminating at a summit. Well known hill climbs...
.
Hit the wall: To completely run out of energy
Energy
In physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...
on a long ride, also known as "bonking".
hold a wheel: Similar to follow but more dramatic. Holding a wheel may infer a rider is riding above his normal performance just to stay with a better rider or indicates he is about to be dropped or crack. Expressive "he can't hold the wheel".
honking: (UK English), see danseuse.
hors catégorie, or HC: The French term primarily used in cycle races (most notably, the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
) to designate a climb that is "beyond categorization", an incredibly tough climb. Most climbs are designated from Category 1 (hardest) to Category 4 (easiest), based on both steepness and length. A climb that is harder than Category 1 is designated as hors catégorie
Hors Categorie
Hors catégorie is a French term used in cycle races to designate a climb that is "beyond categorization", an incredibly tough climb. Most climbs in cycling are designated from Category 1 to Category 4 , based on both steepness and length...
.
hors delai (HD): A French term literally meaning "out of time", for when a rider has finished outside the time limit in a race and is therefore eliminated.
hunger knock: Also shortened to "the knock". See hit the wall.
I
individual time trialIndividual time trial
An individual time trial is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock . There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials...
: Race where riders set off at fixed intervals and complete the course against the clock; fastest time wins. Drafting is not allowed.
J
jump: To aggressively increase speed without warning, hopefully creating a substantial advantage over your opponents. Also (more usually) denoting an attempt to bridge a gap from the peloton or gruppetto to a breakaway. For example: "he is trying to jump across".K
keirinKeirin
is a track cycling event in which racing cyclists sprint for victory. Keirin originated in Japan in 1948; the first Olympic competitions in the sport occurred in 2000....
: The keirin is a 2000 metre track event where the riders start the race in a group behind a motorised derny
Derny
A Derny is a motorized bicycle for motor-paced cycling events such as during six-day and Keirin racing, or motor-paced road races. It is driven by a 98cc Zurcher two-stroke engine and by being pedalled through a fixed gear, typically of 70 teeth on the front chainring and 11 on the sprocket on the...
. The derny paces the riders for 1400 metres and then pulls off the track, at which time the cyclists begin a sprint to the finish line. Keirin racing has traditionally been practised in Japan, where it has been a professional sport for over 20 years, and in which pari-mutuel betting on the riders is permitted.
kick: Accelerating quickly with a few pedalstrokes in an effort to break away from other riders (e.g. "Contador kicks again to try to rid himself of Rasmussen")
knock: Referred to as "the knock". Short for "hunger knock". See hit the wall.
L
laché: French for "released", see drop.Lanterne rouge
Lanterne rouge
The Lanterne Rouge is the competitor in last place in a cycling race such as the Tour de France. The phrase comes from the French "Red Lantern" and refers to the red lantern hung on the caboose of a railway train, which conductors would look for in order to make sure none of the couplings had...
: French for "red lantern", as found at the end of a railway train, and the name given to the rider placed last in a race.
laughing group: Same as autobus. Riders who collect together in a road race just concerned with making it to the finish "in the time" so as not to be disqualified or "swept up". Members of the laughing group are not concerned with contesting the finish.
lead out: Sprinting technique often used by the leadout man where the rider will accelerate to maximum speed close to the sprint point with a teammate, the sprinter, drafting
Drafting (racing)
Drafting or slipstreaming is a technique where two vehicles or other moving objects are caused to align in a close group reducing the overall effect of drag due to exploiting the lead object's slipstream...
behind, hoping to create space between the sprinter and the pack. When the leadout man is exhausted he will move to the side to allow his teammate to race in the sprint. Often a line of leadout men will be used to form a leadout train to drive the speed higher and higher (and to reduce the chances of other riders attacking) over the closing stages of a race. The purpose of a leadout is for the sprinter to achieve high speed at the sprint approach using as little of his own energy as possible, so he has as much energy as possible for the final sprint.
leech: A rider in a small group who does not share some of the workload by riding in the front where wind resistance is greatest, but instead conserves their energy by riding in the slipstream
Slipstream
A slipstream is a region behind a moving object in which a wake of fluid is moving at velocities comparable to the moving object . The term slipstream also applies to the similar region adjacent to an object with a fluid moving around it...
of one of the other riders. By analogy with leech
Leech
Leeches are segmented worms that belong to the phylum Annelida and comprise the subclass Hirudinea. Like other oligochaetes such as earthworms, leeches share a clitellum and are hermaphrodites. Nevertheless, they differ from other oligochaetes in significant ways...
an animal which feeds on the blood of other animals.
let go: Two meanings, one the opposite meaning of the other
- To let go a rider or break is allowing a rider(s) to attack and not responding even if one has the capability to follow the attacking move. This is done for tactical reasons. Can be applied in the plural: "the peloton let the break go".
- To let go the wheels is to not be able to "hold a wheel" unable to follow the pace. "he let the wheels go" or "let go the wheel" the difference is the use of wheel rather than the rider or riders. if you let a rider or a break go you do so voluntarily. To let go a wheel is involuntary but has slightly derogatory edge in that the rider "let the wheels go" before he was pushed to his absolute limit, to be "dropped" (subtle).
limit: First riders to depart in a handicap race.
M
madisonMadison (cycling)
The madison is a team event in track cycling, named after the first Madison Square Garden in New York, and known as the "American race" in French and in Italian and Spanish as Americana.-History:...
: The madison is a mass-start track event comprising teams of two riders per team. It is similar to a team points race, as points are awarded to the top finishers at the intermediate sprints and for the finishing sprint. Only one of the two team riders is racing on the track at any one time, riding for a number of laps, and then exchanging with his partner by a hand sling. The name comes from the original Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden (1879)
Madison Square Garden was an arena in New York City located at East 26th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. The first venue to use that name, it had a seating capacity of 10,000 spectators...
, which was constructed as a velodrome.
MTB: The activity of mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, or a mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
itself.
musette: Small lightweight cotton shoulder bag, used for containing food and drink given to riders in a feed zone during a cycle race. The bag is designed so that it can be easily grabbed by a moving rider. The shoulder strap is placed over the head and one shoulder, the contents are then removed and placed into jersey pockets or bottles (bidons) are placed into bottle cages. The bag is then discarded.
Muur: wall in english a short very steep climb, from a few dozens to some hundreds meter on a high % of rise until more than 20%. Muur van Geraardsbergen, Kapellemuur, Koppenberg.
O
off the back: Getting dropped from the group/peloton.omnium: An omnium is a multi-stage event that differs from a stage race in that points are assigned for placing in each stage rather than a time. Therefore a rider may win with a slower time than another rider, but more points. Conceivably a rider can win the omnium without finishing each event.
on the rivet: Describes a rider who is riding at maximum speed. When riding at maximum power output, a road racer often perches on the front tip of the saddle (seat), where the shell of an old-style leather saddle would be attached to the saddle frame with a rivet.
on your wheel: Phrase describing the condition of being very close to the rear wheel of the rider ahead of you. Used to inform the rider that you have positioned yourself in their slipstream for optimum drafting. For example: "I'm on your wheel".
open road race: Generally going from point A to point B; can include multi-laps. Can also mean a club event in which non-club members can enter.
overlap: Riding in a position such that the leading edge of one's front wheel is ahead of the trailing edge of the rear wheel of the bicycle immediately ahead. Overlap is potentially dangerous because of the instability that results if the wheels rub, and the simple fact that it allows the trailing rider to turn only in one direction (away from the wheel of the rider ahead). In road bicycle racing, overlap can be a significant cause of crashes, so beginning riders are instructed to "protect your front wheel" (avoid overlap) whenever riding in a pack.
P
paceline: Group of riders riding at high speed by drafting one another. Riders will take turns at the front to break the wind, then rotate to the back of the line to rest in the draft. Larger group rides will often form double pacelines with two columns of riders. Sometimes referred to as "bit and bit".pack: Verb, meaning to quit a ride (typically a race) prematurely.
palmarès: A list of races a rider has won. (French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, meaning list of achievements or list of winners).
parcours: The profile of the race or stage route. (French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, course, nm.)
pedaling circles: Pedaling smoothly and efficiently.
pedaling squares: Riding with considerable fatigue such that the rider is unable to maintain an efficient pedaling form that is strong and smooth.
Peloton
Peloton
The peloton , field, bunch or pack is the large main group of riders in a road bicycle race. Riders in a group save energy by riding close near other riders...
: (from French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, literally meaning little ball or platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
and also related to the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
word pellet) is the large main group in a road bicycle race
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
. May also be called the field, bunch, or pack. Riders in a group save energy
Energy
In physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...
by riding close (drafting
Drafting (racing)
Drafting or slipstreaming is a technique where two vehicles or other moving objects are caused to align in a close group reducing the overall effect of drag due to exploiting the lead object's slipstream...
or slipstream
Slipstream
A slipstream is a region behind a moving object in which a wake of fluid is moving at velocities comparable to the moving object . The term slipstream also applies to the similar region adjacent to an object with a fluid moving around it...
ing) near and, particularly behind, other riders. The reduction in drag is dramatic; in the middle of a well-developed group it can be as much as 40%.
pep: Originating from the popular nickname of a famous Latin American cyclist, "pep" is used as a verb meaning "to carelessly and headlessly ford (as in a small body of water)." For example, "pep" could be used in the sentence "I'm going to pep this creek".
pogo: Lifting the front wheel of the bicycle in the air and jumping up and down on the rear wheel while in a stationary position.
poursuivant: From French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, literally "pursuing" - refers to a cyclist or group of cyclists who are separated from and behind the leader(s) (tête de la course) but in front of the main group (peloton). This usually occurs when a small number of riders attempt to catch up to the leaders, either to join with them or to "bring them back to the pack" by encouraging the main group to chase them down.
power: The rate at which effective energy is being transferred by the cyclist's legs. Measured through a power meter and normally expressed in watts.
prime: Primes are intermediate sprints within a race, usually offering a prize and/or points. Primes are a way to encourage more competitive riding, and also an opportunity for companies to gain publicity by sponsoring a prime. In a criterium
Criterium
A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course , often run on closed-off city center streets....
, a bell is sounded on the lap preceding the prime sprint at the appropriate line for that prime sprint. The line used for prime sprints need not be the same as the start or finish line. Primes may be either predetermined for certain laps or spontaneously designated under the supervision of the Chief Referee. All primes won shall be awarded to riders even if they withdraw from the race. Lapped riders are not eligible for primes except in the following situation: when a breakaway has lapped the main field, riders in the main field and the breakaway riders are then both eligible for primes. When primes are announced for a given group, only riders in that group or behind it at the beginning of the prime lap are eligible. Prizes can be cash, merchandise, or points, depending on the race.
prologue: A short individual time trial before a stage race, used to determine which rider wears the leader's jersey on the first stage.
pull: To take the lead on a paceline or echelon.
pull back time: To pull back time is to make up time on another rider who is ahead on G.C. "he needs to "pull back" two minutes if he wants to get in yellow".
pull it back: to work to reduce the lead of a breakaway, also used as "he needs to pull him back" or "they need to pull him back".
pump: colloquial verb meaning to give a second person a ride on a bicycle, also known as giving a hike. The passenger may balance on the handlebars or the seat, while the biker stands to pedal.
Q
queen stage: The most difficult stage of a multi-day road race, typically involving multiple low- or beyond-category climbs.R
ride: A rider who does a ride is one who makes an endeavour to win a race or move up on GC against the odds and pulls it off. "He did a ride".rim: The outer portion of the wheel, on which the tire attaches.
road race: a race on a road.
road rash: Severe skin abrasions caused from sliding on the asphalt in a crash.
rollers: A type of trainer composed of rolling cylinders under the rear wheel linked to a single rolling cylinder under the front wheel which allow the rider to practice balance while training indoors.
rotating weight: Weight (more correctly mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
) that is rotating
Rotation
A rotation is a circular movement of an object around a center of rotation. A three-dimensional object rotates always around an imaginary line called a rotation axis. If the axis is within the body, and passes through its center of mass the body is said to rotate upon itself, or spin. A rotation...
while the bike is moving, particularly the wheels. Mass near the outside edge of a wheel has about twice the stored energy
Energy
In physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...
of a similar non-rotating mass moving at the same speed. A bicycle wheel can be considered to be a good approximation of a hollow cylinder
Cylinder (geometry)
A cylinder is one of the most basic curvilinear geometric shapes, the surface formed by the points at a fixed distance from a given line segment, the axis of the cylinder. The solid enclosed by this surface and by two planes perpendicular to the axis is also called a cylinder...
with most of its mass at or near the rim. The rotation of cranks, wheel hubs, and other parts are of less significance because both their radius and speed of rotation (angular velocity
Angular velocity
In physics, the angular velocity is a vector quantity which specifies the angular speed of an object and the axis about which the object is rotating. The SI unit of angular velocity is radians per second, although it may be measured in other units such as degrees per second, revolutions per...
) are small. All mass resists changes in velocity
Velocity
In physics, velocity is speed in a given direction. Speed describes only how fast an object is moving, whereas velocity gives both the speed and direction of the object's motion. To have a constant velocity, an object must have a constant speed and motion in a constant direction. Constant ...
(acceleration
Acceleration
In physics, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with time. In one dimension, acceleration is the rate at which something speeds up or slows down. However, since velocity is a vector, acceleration describes the rate of change of both the magnitude and the direction of velocity. ...
or deceleration) due to inertia
Inertia
Inertia is the resistance of any physical object to a change in its state of motion or rest, or the tendency of an object to resist any change in its motion. It is proportional to an object's mass. The principle of inertia is one of the fundamental principles of classical physics which are used to...
. This resistance is noticeably greater where rotational inertia is also a significant component, so lighter wheel rims, spoke nipple
Spoke nipple
A spoke nipple holds a bicycle wheel's rim to each spoke.The spoke nipple is a headed cylinder with threading on the inside through part of its length . The nipples will fit in holes in the rim, so that the head of the nipple is on the outermost part of the rim, while the other end of the nipple...
s, and tire
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
s will permit faster acceleration (or the same acceleration for less expenditure of energy). This effect is much reduced at lower speeds such as during hill climbing.
rouleur: A rider who is strong on flat and undulating roads. The rider is well suited for races such as Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders
Tour of Flanders
The Tour of Flanders is a Flanders Classics road cycling race held in Belgium every spring, a week before the Paris–Roubaix road race. It is part of the UCI World Tour and one of the so-called monuments of the European professional calendar. It is the most important cycling race in Flanders...
. Tom Boonen
Tom Boonen
Tom Boonen is a Belgian professional road bicycle racer who won the 2005 World Road Race Championship. He is a member of the team, and is considered a single-day road race specialist with a strong finishing sprint...
and Fabian Cancellara
Fabian Cancellara
Fabian Cancellara is a Swiss professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . A time trial specialist, he is a four-time World Time Trial Champion and is the current Olympic gold medalist...
are examples of this.
S
SAG station: A location along the course of a long mass-participation recreational ride providing mechanical and/or medical assistance to riders in need. Volunteers at the SAG station may also dispatch SAG wagons to assist riders stranded along the course. A SAG station may also function as a food stop. "SAG" (most commonly written in all uppercase in the United States but without capitals elsewhere) comes from a 1930s British expression about riders "sagging" off the back of a group. It was adopted in the 1940s when road-racing restarted in Great Britain to mean a following vehicle into which riders sagged when the effort became too much and they dropped out of a race. SAG is sometimes described as an acronym for 'support and gear', 'gear' referring to: mechanical support.SAG wagon: Support motor vehicle following long races
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
or recreational rides to pick up riders unable to complete the event. See also: food stop and SAG station. In racing events, typically the main group of riders will ride as a peloton and can be served by one or more SAG wagons trailing behind. In large recreational rides, there may be thousands of riders spread over much of the course, so ride organizers may employ roving SAG wagons to locate and assist stranded riders. In bicycle racing
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
, another term for SAG wagon is broom wagon.
swag: Promotional items often given away for free at cycling events. Backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
for "Souvenirs, Wearables And Gifts" and "Stuff We All Get". Also spelled "schwag", "shwag".
scratch: Last riders to depart in a handicap race. Also referred to as the "scratch bunch" or "scratchies". Also, a straightforward type of track race with a predetermined number of laps (except in the case of an "unknown scratch," when officials ring a bell to signify one lap to go) until the finish line.
Shapes: To pull or throw shapes (origin: Irish slang for acting the "hard man") is to pedal in an ungainly and un-fluid manner, usually due to exertion; a sign that a rider is about to crack or has cracked. Can be used in expressive ways: "He's throwing a whole basket of shapes".
shelled: A rider who is having extreme difficulty keeping up with a fast pace race in a way they did not anticipate. A rider who is shelled will use up all their energy so they have nothing left for the finishing sprint, drop back out of contention, or abandon the race altogether.
Shifter
Shifter (bicycle part)
A bicycle shifter or gear control or gear levers is a component used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. Typically, they operate either a derailleur mechanism or an internal hub gear mechanism. In either case, the control is operated by moving a cable that connects...
: A component used by the rider to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. It is usually connected to the derailleur by a mechanical actuation cable. Electronic shifting systems also exist.
singles: Australian English for tubular tyres.
sit up: In a race, if a rider eases his or her efforts and stops pulling or maintaining the pace of the group, the rider is said to have sat up.
sit-on and sit-in: To ride behind another rider without taking a turn on the front (thus tiring the lead rider), often in preparation for an attack or sprint finish. "Sitting in the wheels" is to take an easy ride drafted by the peloton or gruppetto. Often a strategic decision to save energy in 21 day stage race.
soft break: A breakaway that is allowed to go from the peloton in a stage race because it poses no strategic threat to any of the main contenders on GC. In French terminology a soft break is a "dishonest break".
soigneur: A non-riding member of a team whose role is to provide support for the riders, possibly including transportation and organization of supplies, preparation of the team's food, post-ride massages and personal encouragement.
sprinter
Cycling sprinter
A cycling sprinter is a road bicycle racer or track racer who can finish a race very explosively by accelerating quickly to a high speed, often using the slipstream of another cyclist or group of cyclists tactically to conserve energy.-The road sprinter:...
: Rider with the ability to generate very high power over short periods (a few seconds to a minute) allowing for great finishing speeds, but usually unable to sustain sufficiently high power over long periods to be a good time triallist, and is usually too big to have a high enough power-to-weight ratio to be a good climber.
sprints: British term for tubular tyres.
squares: Similar to shapes. pedaling squares is pedaling without fluid rhythm. Pedaling in a labored fashion.
stage: One part of a multi-day race, such as the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
.
stagiaire: An amateur rider, who is taken in by a professional team during the season. This lets the rider get some experience at riding a few pro races, and the team gets a chance to assess the abilities of the rider.
stair gap: A freeride term, used to describe a landing in terms of when cycling off a set of stairs.
steerer tube
Bicycle fork
A bicycle fork is the portion of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and allows the rider to steer and balance the bicycle. A fork consists of two fork ends which hold the front wheel axle, two blades which join at a fork crown, and a steerer or steering tube to which the handlebars attach ...
: The part of the fork that is inserted into the head tube
Head tube
Most bicycles, tricycles and motorcycles have a tubular frame. The front fork pivots within the head tube . On a motorcycle, the "head tube" is normally called the steering head...
of the frame
Bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
, and is used to attach the fork to the frame using a headset
Headset (bicycle part)
The headset is the set of components on a bicycle that provides a rotatable interface between the bicycle fork and the head tube of the bicycle frame itself. The short tube through which the steerer of the fork passes is called the head tube. A typical headset consists of two cups that are pressed...
.
stem
Stem (bicycle part)
The stem is the component on a bicycle that connects the handlebars to the steerer tube of the bicycle fork. Sometimes called a goose neck, a stem's design belongs to either a quill or threadless system, and each system is compatible with respective headset and fork designs:-Quill vs...
: The component that attaches the handlebars to the steer tube of the bicycle. They come in two major types, quill and threadless. The angle and length plays a major part in how the bicycle fits the rider.
T
teamCycling team
A cycling team is a group of cyclists who join a team or are acquired and train together to compete in bicycle races whether recreational or professional - and the supporting personnel...
: A team of professional cyclists. Usually one rider will be the team leader and the others will support him, though the team itself will be composed of a mix of riders from the various specialisations.
team time trial: Riders start in groups or teams, usually of a fixed size. The time of the nth rider of a team counts for the classification for each team member. In the 2009 edition of Tour de France
2009 Tour de France
The 2009 Tour de France was the 96th edition of the Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on 4 July in the principality of Monaco with a individual time trial which included a section of the Circuit de Monaco...
, riders who are dropped from their team's group would be scored with their own time, instead of the team time.
technical assistance zone: A designated section along the course of a mountain bike or cyclocross race along which riders are allowed to accept technical assistance (tools, spare parts, or mechanical work) from another person. In cyclocross racing the technical assistance zone is called the "pit". Not all mountain bike races contain a technical assistance zone, instead requiring riders to carry whatever tools and spare parts they may need. A rider accepting technical assistance outside of the designated zone risks disqualification.
tempo: Steady pace at the front of a group of riders. A relatively fast tempo can be used by a group or team to control the peloton, often to make up time to a break. The group will ride at the head of the bunch and set a fast enough pace to stretch the peloton out (also known as stringing out) and discourage other riders from attacking. Setting a slower tempo can be done for the purpose of blocking. A tempo is also a type of track race where two points are awarded to the first person to cross the line each lap, and one point is awarded to the second person to cross the line each lap. The winner is the person with the most points at the end of the race.
tempo pace: A level of exertion just below the rider's anaerobic threshold. Used as a reference point in training, this is the highest level of exertion that a given rider can sustain.
tester: A time-trialist who tends to over-specialize in the discipline. Slightly derogatory.
tête de la course: From French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, literally "head of the race" - the leading cyclist or group of cyclists, when separated from (in front of) the peloton.
ticket collector: A rider that sits at the back of a breakaway but doesn't take a pull. Thus the rider gets a free ride similar to a ticket collector on a train who rides for free.
tifosi: The word is commonly used to describe fans along the roadside at professional road cycling races in Italy such as Tirreno–Adriatico, Milan – San Remo, the Giro d'Italia, and the Giro di Lombardia.
Time trial
Time trial
In many racing sports an athlete will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. In cycling, for example, a time trial can be a single track cycling event, or an individual or team time trial on the road, and either or both of the latter may form components of...
: A race against the clock where riders are started separately (ranging from 30 seconds to 5 minutes apart). The winner of the race is determined by the fastest person across the course. No drafting may be employed in a time trial as it is a solo race event.
Time trialist
Time trialist
A time trialist is a road bicycle racer who can maintain high speeds for long periods of time, to maximize performance during individual or team time trials...
: A rider that can generate relatively high power over long periods of time (5 minutes to an hour or more) in a race against the clock.
track: An oval cycling track for races, banked at up to 50 degrees. Cycling tracks are usually, but not always indoors. Bicycling or cycle tracks are also called velodromes. An Olympic track is generally 250m long.
Trail Angel: a generous individual or group of individuals that provide acts of kindness to participants of outdoor events, on hiking trails or various biking routes. Trail angels are closely associated with trail magic. "Trail Angels" are commonly referred to in online hiking journals as friends of hikers, relatives or others persons who will often provide food, transportation, etc. to hikers on the trail.
trainer: A piece of equipment that a bicycle stands on so that the rear wheel can spin while the bicycle is stationary, allowing stationary riding. These are usually used when the conditions outside are bad.
true sprinter: Also known as old school sprinter. A rider who excels primarily in sprint finishes on flat to mildly uphill terrain. Often too heavy to compete in longer or steeper uphill courses.
Tubular tyres
Tubular tyres
A tubular tyre, referred to as a tub in Britain, a sew-up in the US, a single in Australia, or just a tubular is a bicycle tyre that is stitched closed around the inner tube to form a torus...
: Tubular tyres are cycle tyres that have the inner tube permanently stitched inside the casing. They are held in place using glue or glue-tape, and are affixed to rims which lack the sidewalls characteristic of a hook-bead rim. Tubulars take very high pressure (up to 10 bar or 145 psi, or higher for racing and track-specific tires) which reduces their rolling resistance. They typically result in wheelsets that are lower in overall weight than comparable clincher wheels, because of the shape of the rim, the tire construction, and the lack of rim strips. Tubulars can be ridden at lower pressures than clinchers without the risk of pinch flats, because of the shape of the rim. This makes them well-suited to cyclo-cross, especially in muddy conditions where low tire pressures are used. However, they are difficult to replace and repair and are generally more expensive than clinchers. Also called sew-ups, tubies, or tub.
turbo-trainer: A trainer that spins a fan assembly at the same time (for pedal resistance and air flow).
turn: A turn is a rider sharing the workload on a pace line "he took a turn" or "he is doing a lot of turns on the front". Missing turns can be expressed thus "he has missed a few turns now and has stopped working". In a breakaway the riders expect to share the work equally in "turns". A rider who doesn't take his turn is "sitting on the break".
U
Urban: Alternatively known as a city bike, a bicycle that is designed to be ridden on the road utilizing components of a mountain bikeMountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
, similar to a hybrid bicycle
Hybrid bicycle
A hybrid bicycle is a bicycle designed for general-purpose utility and commuting on a wide variety of surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, paths and trails...
.
W
wall: A steep incline along a race's course. See also hit the wall.wheelsucker: A rider who sits on the rear wheel of others in a group or on another rider, enjoying the draft but not working.
wheelie: Lifting the front wheel of the bicycle in the air whilst riding and continue to ride on only the back wheel. The rider maintains the wheelie by applying pedalstrokes and rear brake in order to balance the bicycle on only the rear wheel.
with: In contexts such as "riding with" and "finished with" used to mean "next to each other or one behind another, close enough to be drafting". Example: "Samuel Dumoulin (Française Des Jeux) and Simon Gerrans (Ag2r-Prevoyance) joined up with the leading four and set about working well together".
WOL
Wide outside lane
In the United States of America, wide outside lane , or wide curb lane , is a term used by cyclists and bicycle transportation planners to refer to the outermost lane of a roadway when it is wide enough to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle and a wider motor vehicle at the same time. ...
: Abbreviation of wide outside lane. An outside lane on a roadway that is wide enough to be safely shared side-by-side by a bicycle and motor vehicle. The road may be marked with partial lane markings to designate the portion of the lane to be used by bicycles.
work: To work is to do "turns on the front", to aid a group of riders by sharing the workload of working against air resistance by "pulling on the front" of the group. Similar to pull. Often used expressively in combination with other expressions: e.g. "He hasn't done any work all day, he has just sat on the breakaway." Working is used in many contexts in the peloton and road racing.