This is by no means a definitive list of terms used in the cycling community, but it is a great starting point for newbies who seek to learn the lingua franca commonly spoken on road sides and trail heads.
A — B — C — D — E — F — G — H — I — J — K — L — M — N — O — P — Q — R — S — T — U — V — W — X — Y — Z
A
aerobic: exercise at an intensity that allows the body’s need for oxygen to be continually met. This intensity can be sustained for long periods.
aerodynamic: a design of cycling equipment or a riding position that reduces wind resistance; aero for short.
anaerobic: exercise above the intensity at which the body’s need for oxygen can be met. This intensity can be sustained only briefly.
apex: the sharpest part of a turn where the transition from entering to exiting takes place.
attack: an aggressive, high-speed jump away from other riders.
acro-brat n.little kids who use their bikes like pogo sticks, with pegs coming out of the front axle. Should be confined to the Circus or other freak show reviews.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
air n. space between the tires and the ground. (Both tires must be off the ground or it isn’t “air”.) Said to be caught or gotten.
anchor n. your child, or children (anchors) that keep(s) you from riding. “Wait till you anchors grow up, you’ll have road rash for breakfast and prunes for dinner!” To be used as an endearing, not demeaning, phrase.
ano adj. frequently-misspelled abbreviation for “anodized”.
ATB n. All-Terrain Bike or Biking. A synonym for MTB.
auger v. to involuntarily take samples of the local geology, usually with one’s face, during a crash.
B
balaclava: a thin hood that covers the head and neck with an opening for the face. It’s worn under the helmet to prevent heat loss in cold or wet conditions.
bead: in tires, the edge along each side’s inner circumference that fits into the rim.
blocking: legally impeding the progress of opposing riders to allow teammates a better chance of success.
blood glucose: a sugar, glucose is the only fuel that can be used by the brain.
blow up: to suddenly be unable to continue at the required pace due to overexertion.
bonk: a state of severe exhaustion caused mainly by the depletion of glycogen in the muscles because the rider has failed to eat or drink enough. Once it occurs, rest and high-carbohydrate foods are necessary for recovery.
boot: a small piece of material used inside a tire to cover a cut in the tread or sidewall. Without it, the tube will push through and blow out.
bottom bracket: the part of the frame where the crankset is installed. Also, the axle, cups and bearings of a traditional crankset, or the axle, retainer rings and bearing cartridges of a sealed crankset.
bpm: abbreviation for beats per minute in reference to heart rate.
break, breakaway: a rider or group of riders that has escaped the pack.
brevet: a long-distance event used to qualifying riders for major randonnees such as Paris-Brest-Paris and Boston-Montreal-Boston. The typical brevet series has rides of 200, 300, 400 and 600 km. Pronounced “brevay.”
bridge, bridge a gap: to catch a rider or group that has opened a lead.
bunch: the main cluster of riders in a race. Also called the group, pack, field or peloton.
bunny hop: a way to ride over obstacles such as rocks or logs in which both wheels leave the ground.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
babyheads pl. n. roundish rocks which tend to be found in a loose jumble on hairpin corners or other difficult-to-negotiate sections of trail.
bacon n. scabs on a rider’s knees, elbows, or other body parts.
bagger n. one who always agrees to ride, party, gather, etc. but rarely shows.
bag v. to fail to show. “Tom swore he’d be there but he bagged.”
bail v. to jump off in order to avoid an imminent crash.
balance blackout n. that short time during almost every ride when you start to fall, lose your balance without reason, or seem to be unable to clean even the simplest obstacle.
banana scraper n. low hanging branches, the kind that smear the guts of that banana you put in the pouch on the back of your camelback when you don’t duck low enough.
beartrap 1) v. to slip off a pedal, causing it to slam one in the shin, when one gets kracked with a pedal. 2) n. the tooth-like scars resulting from being beartrapped.
betty n. any female rider.
biff n. a crash. v. “I biffed and then wiped away the blood.”
biopace adj. a now-discredited Shimano introduction where the chainrings were made intentionally not circular — instead, they were elliptical, in order to (allegedly) smooth the power delivery, by giving the rider an effectively lower gear for part of the spin cycle. Now used to describe any uneven pedaling motion. Also used as a synonym for pogo-ing.
boing-boing n. a bike with full (front and rear) suspension. Might possibly be considered offensive by certain owners of said bikes.
boink v. same as bonk.
bolt-on n. a woman with breast implants. Derived from the term for after-market bicycle parts that are literally bolted on.
bomb v. to ride with wild disregard to personal safety.
bombers n. the earliest mountain bikes, converted from cruiser road bikes to race down mountains.
bonk v. to run out of energy or grow exhausted on a ride. “I bonked so early it was embarrassing.”
boot v. to expel pre-ride stomach fillers due to extreme physical exertion. “That climb was hairy, I think Brian had to boot back there.”
bra n. the rubber strip placed inside the rim to protect the tube from the nipples.
brain n. a biking computer, usually featuring an odometer, speedometer, clock, and other “important” display modes.
brain bucket n. helmet.
brain sieve n. a helmet featuring more vents than protective surface.
brand whore n. a rider that will only buy high-end parts/gear with name recognition. Wouldn’t be caught dead using LX level parts or wearing a pair of Nashbar shorts.
bring home a Christmas tree v. to ride (or crash) through dense bushes, so leaves and branches are hanging from your bike and helmet.
BSG n. acronym for “Bike Store Guy”.
bunny n. 1) same as betty, but used to emphasize the female rider’s body; could be considered insulting to some. 2) female novice rider.
bunny hop v. to lift both wheels off the ground by crouching down and then exploding upward, pulling the bike with you. Useful for clearing obstructions, such as curbs, potholes, logs. Differs from its older BMX & trials meaning.
burrito n. a rim braking surface that’s bent inward towards the tube, forming a section that looks rolled like a burrito.
buzz n. euphoric feeling. Commonly used after a particularly hard passage is successfully completed. “I got such a buzz after that uphill grunt.”
C
cadence: the number of times during one minute that a pedal stroke is completed. Also called pedal rpm.
carbohydrate: in the diet it is broken down to glucose, the body’s principal energy source, through digestion and metabolism. It is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles. Carbo can be simple (sugars) or complex (bread, pasta, grains, fruits, vegetables), which contains additional nutrients. One gram of carbohydrate supplies four calories.
cardiovascular: pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.
cassette: the set of gear cogs on the rear hub. Also called a freewheel, cluster or block.
catch air: when both wheels leave the ground, usually because of a rise or dip in the riding surface.
categories: the division of racers based on ability and/or experience.
century: a 100-mile ride.
chain suck: when the chain sticks to the chainring teeth during a downshift and gets drawn up and jammed between the small ring and the frame.
chainring: a sprocket on the crankset. There may be one, two or three. Short version is ring.
chainstay: the thin frame tube that extends from the rear dropout to the bottom bracket, where the bike’s crankset is located. There is a chainstay on each side of the rear wheel.
chasers: those who are trying to catch a group or a lead rider.
chondromalacia: a serious knee injury in which there is disintegration of cartilage surfaces due to improper tracking of the kneecap. Symptoms start with deep knee pain and a crunching sensation during bending.
circuit: a course that is ridden two or more times to compose the race.
circuit training: a weight training technique in which you move rapidly from exercise to exercise without rest.
cleat: a metal or plastic fitting on the sole of a cycling shoe that engages the pedal.
clincher: a conventional tire with a separate inner tube.
clydesdale: a large rider.
cog: a sprocket on the rear wheel’s cassette or freewheel.
contact patch: the portion of a tire in touch with the ground.
corncob: a cassette in which each cog is only one tooth larger than the previous one. Also called a straight block.
criterium: a mass-start race covering numerous laps of a course that is normally about one mile or less in length.
crosstraining: combining sports for mental refreshment and physical conditioning, especially during cycling’s off-season.
cyclocross: a fall or winter event contested mostly or entirely off pavement. Courses include obstacles, steps and steep hills that force riders to dismount and run with their bikes.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
carve v.(from skiing) to ride with great speed around the corners of a twisting fire road.
captain crash v. to “go down with the ship”. Usually the result of a novice spud-user failing to clip out in time.
cashed adj. to be too tired to ride any farther; bonked.
chainring tattoo n. the dotted-line scar you get from gouging your shin on the chainring.
chainsuck n. condition when the bike chain gets jammed between the frame and the chain rings, or when the chainring is so worn that it holds onto the chain and lifts it up to meet the incoming part of the chain.
chi-chi n. extravagant parts used to dress up a bicycle to make it more impressive looking.
chinese toe cuffs n. see toe clips.
chunder v. to crash.
clean v. to negotiate a trail successfully without crashing or dabbing. “I cleaned that last section.”
cleanie n. one who desires to remain clean; a wimp who will not have fun, stays on the clean trails.
clipless adj. misleading name for a pedal-and-shoe system where the clips or cleats clip onto the soles of special shoes. Called “clipless” because they replaced toe clips.
clip out (or, sometimes, click out) v. to disengage one’s pedals.
cloon n. slamming into the ground, resulting in a ringing head, or a delay in the action. Term used in biking, skiing, and snow boarding.
clotheslined v. the act of catching an upper body part (e.g. the neck) on a low piece of vegetation, resulting in separation of the rider from the bike.
cob clearer n. the lead rider who has to clear out all the spider webs for following riders. May experience wang chung while trying to get the spiders off his face.
cockrotter n. one who allows his bike to fall in disrepair, and whose bike invariably fails him at some point in every ride. These people don’t know why their bike always breaks, and often would rather buy new parts than keep their bike in good condition.
condom n. the little plastic or rubber thing that protects your tube’s valve stem from rim damage.
corndog v. to become covered in silt, usually after a fall.
cranial disharmony adv. how one’s head feels after augering. “When my lid nailed that rock, I had a definite feeling of cranial disharmony.”
crotch-testing n. sudden impact between a male rider’s private parts and something very hard and pointy, such as a handlebar stem or seat.
curb grind n. expensive erasure of low-hanging, shiny parts of the bike on a curb or rock.
curb slide v. to place the front wheel up on a curb and allow the rear tire to scrape along the curb, usually resulting in a loud tearing sound.
cyclephernalia n. the parts used to upgrade/dress-up a mountain bike”.
D
downshift: to shift to a lower gear, i.e. a larger cog or smaller chainring.
drafting: riding closely behind another rider to take advantage of the windbreak (slipstream) and use about 20 percent less energy. Also called sitting in or wheelsucking.
drivetrain: the components directly involved with making the rear wheel turn, i.e. the chain, crankset and cassette. Also called the power train.
dropout: on a bike frame, the slots into which the front and rear wheel axles fit.
drops: the lower part of a down-turned handlebar typically found on a road bike. The curved portions are called the hooks.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
dab v. to put a foot down in order to catch your balance on a difficult section of trail. “I made it without crashing, but I had to dab once.”
death cookies n. fist-sized rocks that knock your bike in every direction but the one you want to proceed in.
death march n. a ride that turns into an investigation of your endurance limit. “The bridge was out, and I had to go all the way back the way I came. So the morning’s nice, easy ride turned into a Bataan death march.”
dialed in adj. when a bike is set up nicely and everything works just right.
digger n. a face plant. “Look at that guy on that gnarly single track… he’s going to go over the bars and do a digger.”
dirt bike n. an off-road motorcycle. Usually louder than MTBs.
drillium n. any part with lots of holes drilled in it to make it lighter.
dual boinger n. a full-suspension bicycle.
dual-track n. a dirt road used by four-wheeled vehicles rarely enough that their tires have made ruts that became parallel singletracks. Also called doubletrack.
E
echelon: a form of paceline in which the riders angle off behind each other to get maximum draft in a crosswind.
elastomer: a compressible, rubber-like material used to absorb shock in some suspension systems.
electrolytes: substances such as sodium, potassium, and chloride that are necessary for muscle contraction and maintenance of body fluid levels.
endo: to crash by going over the bike’s handlebar. Short for end over end.
ergometer: a stationary, bicycle-like device with adjustable pedal resistance used in physiological testing or for indoor training.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
endo n. the maneuver of flying unexpectedly over the handlebars, thus being forcibly ejected from the bike. Short for “end over end”. “I hit that rock and went endo like nobody’s business.” See “superman”. In BMX riding, “endo” used to be a synonym for front wheelie.
engine n. the rider.
enscarfment n. a food break at the edge of a cliff.
epic n. a ride that must last for at least six hours and include at least three mechanicals that add at least an extra hour to the ride time. Epics are usually started with a statement like “the trail is buff, should only take three hours.”
F
fartlek: a Swedish word meaning “speed play,” it is a training technique based on unstructured changes in pace and intensity. It can be used instead of timed or measured interval training.
fat: in the diet it is the most concentrated source of food energy, supplying nine calories per gram. Stored fat provides about half the energy required for low-intensity exercise.
feed zone: a designated area on a race course where riders can be handed food and drinks.
field sprint: the dash for the finish line by the main group of riders.
fixed gear: a direct-drive setup using one chainring and one rear cog, as on a track bike. When the rear wheel turns so does the chain and crank; coasting isn’t possible.
full tuck: an extremely crouched position used for maximum speed on descents.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
face plant n. hitting the ground face first. “Joe hit a tree root and did a spectacular face plant.”
fair grunt n. an expression exclusively used nonchalantly by others to describe a death march, in hopes others will try it, fail, and revere them as bike gods.
first blood n. credit to the first rider in a group who crashes and starts bleeding as a result.
flying trapeze n. when you endo into a clothesline.
foot fault n. when a rider can’t disengage his cleats from the pedals before falling over.
fred n. 1) a person who spends a lot of money on his bike and clothing, but still can’t ride. “What a fred — too much Lycra and titanium and not enough skill.” Synonym for poser. Occasionally called a “barney”. 2) (from road riding) a person who has a mishmash of old gear, doesn’t care at all about technology or fashion, didn’t race or follow racing, etc. Often identified by chainring marks on white calf socks. Used by “serious” roadies to disparage utility cyclists and touring riders, especially after these totally unfashionable “freds” drop the “serious” roadies on hills because the “serious” guys were really posers. According to popular myth, “Fred” was a well-known grumpy old touring rider, who really was named Fred.
front wheelie n. what endo used to mean in BMX: a trick where the rider applies the front brake and lifts the back wheel off the ground; this is the basis for many BMX tricks. Most riders cannot pedal effectively while doing a front wheelie. Also called a “nose wheelie” or “stoppie.”
FS or F/S adj. an ambiguous term, can mean Front Suspension or Full Suspension. Not used by anyone who wishes to be understood.
G
general classification: the overall standings in a stage race. Often referred to as GC.
glutes: the gluteal muscles of the buttocks. They are key to pedaling power.
glycogen: a fuel derived as glucose (sugar) from carbohydrate and stored in the muscles and liver. It’s the primary energy source for high-intensity cycling. Reserves are normally depleted after about two-and-a-half hours of riding.
glycogen window: the period within an hour after exercise when depleted muscles are most receptive to restoring their glycogen content. By eating foods or drinking fluids rich in carbohydrate, energy stores and recovery are enhanced.
gorp: raisins and peanuts, a high-energy mix for nibbling during rides. Can also include nuts, seeds, M&Ms, granola, etc.
granny gear: the lowest gear ratio, combining the small chainring with the largest cassette cog. It’s mainly used for very steep climbs. Named after the gear that grandmothers use most frequently.
granny ring: the smallest of the three chainrings on a triple crankset.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
gear masher n.someone who always rides in too high a gear, stomping on the pedals.
gevert n. (regional) a really long period of time. Derived from the name of a LBS that was a little slow getting work done. “Man, that roadclimb to the trailhead was almost a gevert long.”
giblets n. all the colorful parts and pieces that you can add or change out on a bike.
gonzo adj. treacherous, extreme. “That vertical drop was sheer gonzo.”
gnarl n. extreme technical sections. Characterized by very rough, rooty, slippery, or rocky sections. Commonly found in the Pacific Northwest and New England. “He has got some great bike handling skills and can really scream through the gnarl.”
granny gear n. the lowest gear available on a bike, which only a grandmother would need to use; designed for steep uphill climbing, but extremely easy to pedal in on flat ground.
gravity check n. a fall.
grinder n. a long uphill climb.
grindies n. e.g., “All that dried mud and sand left me with a loud case of the grindies in my drivetrain.”
grunt n. a very difficult climb, requiring use of the granny gear.
gutter bunny n. a bicycling commuter.
H
hammer: to ride strongly in big gears..
hamstrings: the muscle on the back of the thigh, not well developed by cycling.
hanging in: barely maintaining contact at the back of the pack.
headset: the parts at the top and bottom of the frame’s head tube, into which the handlebar stem and fork are fitted.
hybrid: a bike that combines features of road and mountain bikes. Also called a cross bike.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
half-track n. a trail so narrow and/or overgrown that you’d hesitate even to call it singletrack.
hamburger n. the condition of skin, post auger, when geological contact was made with sharp rocks such as on a shale skree slope.
hammer v. to ride fast and hard. n. someone who hammers.
hardtail n. any bike with front suspension but no rear suspension. Contrast with rigid and F/S.
hiker log n. an obstacle (e.g. a log or boulder) placed in trail by biker-hostile trail users.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
HOHA n. Hateful Old Hikers Association. “HOHA members hate mountain bicyclists with a fervor exceeding that of rabid wolverines.”
honk v. to vomit due to cycling exertion.
horizontal track stand n. a foot fault that happens at a stop sign.
I
intervals: a structured method of training that alternates brief, hard efforts with short periods of easier riding for partial recovery.
impedimentia n. all the junk on a bike that impedes performance and looks bad.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
IMBA n.International Mountain Biking Association. An organization for trail advocacy.
involuntary dismount n. a crash.
J
jam: a period of hard, fast riding.
jump: a quick, hard acceleration.
jet v.to accelerate quickly; to go very fast.
John boy’ed v. when a riders face gets covered with spots of mud, making him look like “John Boy” on the Waltons. “I hit that mudhole and got John boy’ed big time.”
Terms used in Mountain Biking
JRA n. acronym for “Just Riding Along,” a phrase universally uttered by people bringing both halves of their frame and the remains of their fork in for warrantee replacement.
jump n. or v. where we now say bunny hop, BMXers used to say “jump”.
K
kack n.an injury to the shin received while doing trials, a kack can be the result of any injury receive during technical riding.
kick-out n. a bunny hop in which the rider pushes the back tire to one side.
L
lactate threshold (LT): the exertion level beyond which the body can no longer produce energy aerobically, resulting in the buildup of lactic acid. This is marked by muscle fatigue, pain and shallow, rapid breathing. Also called anaerobic threshold (AT).
lactic acid: a substance formed during anaerobic metabolism when there is incomplete breakdown of glucose. It rapidly produces muscle fatigue and pain. Also called lactate.
LBS: local bike shop.
leadout: a race tactic in which a rider accelerates to his maximum speed for the benefit of a teammate in tow. The second rider then leaves the draft and sprints past at even greater speed near the finish line.
LSD: long, steady distance. A training technique that requires a firm aerobic pace for at least two hours.
lid n. helmet.
line n. the desirable path or strategy to take on a tricky trail section.
M
mass start: events such as road races, cross-country races and criteriums in which all contestants leave the starting line at the same time.
metric century: a 100-kilometer ride (62 miles).
minuteman: in a time trial, the rider who is one place in front of you in the starting order. So called because in most TTs riders start on one-minute intervals.
motorpace: to ride behind a motorcycle or other vehicle that breaks the wind.
mudguards: fenders.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
male blindness n.when a male rider watches a beautiful female ride over rough terrain and stares intensely at all the jiggling parts, making him too dizzy to see straight when it’s his turn to ride the same terrain.
mandibular disharmony adv. how one’s jaw feels when it and the handle bars attempt to occupy the same space and time.
mantrap n. hole covered with autumn leaves, resembling solid earth and effective at eating the front wheel of the unsuspecting rider.
Marin n. (muh RINN’) the county in Northern California where MTBing is said to have been invented. Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
metal head n. see organ donor.
mo n. momentum. “If you don’t get in gear at the bottom of that hill, you’ll lose your mo.”
mojo n. charm or icon worn by a biker or attached to the bike.
monkey-motion adj. magazine writer speak for a full-suspension bike.
MTB n. the activity of MounTain Biking. Or a mountain bike itself. v. “MTBing”.
mud diving n. what happens when a bike slows abruptly in mud, throwing the rider into wet goo.
mud-ectomy v. 1) a shower after a ride on a muddy trail. 2) the act of becoming clean.
N
Terms used in Mountain Biking
nard guard n. used to prevent wang chung.
nipple n. the nut at the end of a spoke that nobody knows the real name for.
nirvana n. the state of being in absolute control and totally in tune with your bike, the trail, and your physical strength. “I was just doing it all so smoothly and delicately and quickly, it was nirvana!”
NORBA n. National Off-Road Bicycling Association. They organize most of the larger races.
nosepickium n. the crusties you pick from your nose after a ride in a dusty environ.
nose wheelie n. see front wheelie.
O
off the back: describes one or more riders who have failed to keep pace with the main group. Also referred to as OTB.
orthotics: custom-made supports worn in shoes to help neutralize bio-mechanical imbalances in the feet or legs.
overgear: using a gear ratio too big for the terrain or level of fitness.
overtraining: deep-seated fatigue, both physical and mental, caused by training at an intensity or volume too great for adaptation.
oxygen debt: the amount of oxygen that must be consumed to pay back the deficit incurred by anaerobic work.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
OHV, ORV n. Acronyms for Off-Highway Vehicle and Off-Road Vehicle. These have motors and are not bicycles.
organ donor n. someone who rides without a helmet. Also called a “metal head”.
over-the-bar blood donor n. a rider who is injured while doing an endo.
P
paceline: a group formation in which each rider takes a turn breaking the wind at the front before pulling off, dropping to the rear position, and riding the others’ draft until at the front once again.
panache: flamboyance, verve, daring, style as displayed in road racing. See: Lance Armstrong in 2001 Tour de France.
panniers: large bike bags used by touring cyclists or commuters. Panniers attach to racks that place them low on each side of the rear wheel, and sometimes the front wheel.
peak: a relatively short period during which maximum performance is achieved.
peloton: the main group of riders in a race or large event.
periodization: the process of dividing training into specific phases by weeks or months.
pinch flat: an internal puncture marked by two small holes caused by the tube being squeezed against the rim. It results from riding into an object too hard for the air pressure in the tube. Also called a snakebite.
power: the combination of speed and strength.
preload: the adjustable spring tension in a suspension fork or rear shock. It determines how far the suspension compresses under body weight and how much travel remains to absorb impacts.
presta: the narrow European-style valve found on some inner tubes. A small metal cap on its end must be unscrewed before air can enter or exit.
prime: a special award given to the leader on selected laps during a criterium, or the first rider to reach a certain landmark in a road or cross-country race. It’s used to heighten the action. Pronounced “preem.”
protein: in the diet it is required for tissue growth and repair. Composed of structural units called amino acids. Protein is not a significant energy source unless not enough calories and carbohydrate are consumed. One gram of protein equals four calories.
psi: abbreviation for pounds per square inch. The unit of measure for tire inflation and air pressure in some suspensions.
pull, pull through: take a turn at the front.
pull off: to move to the side after riding in the lead so that another rider can come to the front.
pusher: a rider who pedals in a large gear at a relatively slow cadence, relying on the gear size for speed.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
panic skid v.to try with all one’s will and strength to prevent an impending stack by attempting to implant one’s heels as deeply as possible in the ground. Usually a dumb idea.
pimp n. a Bike Store Guy who is always trying to sell stuff on the trail. “Blow off, pimp. If I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you.”
Pirelliology n. the noble art of being able to identify tires from the tracks they leave on the ground.
POD n. Potential Organ Donor.
pogo v. to bounce on a full-suspension bike like a pogo stick. Also, for a full-suspension bike to bounce annoyingly and uncontrollably.
POS n. Piece Of Shit. The antithesis to real bicycles, typified by Huffy, Murray, and any of a number of other bicycles that are poorly designed, manufactured, and assembled.
poser n. derogatory term for people with $7,000 bikes that never see an actual trail. Usually found near a trail head and never dirty. Seinfeld may be an example.
potato chip n. a wheel that has been bent badly, but not taco’d.
powerslide n. a two-wheel sideways slide, with the foot opposite the direction of travel kept on the ground.
prang v. to hit the ground hard, usually bending or breaking something.
prune v. to use one’s bike or helmet to remove leaves and branches from the surrounding flora. Usually unintentional.
purple ano adj. anodized aluminum in purple. Some riders need to obtain as much of this as possible. It comes in other colors, but they are of no consequence here.
push-push n. 1) a novice’s pedaling motion, consisting of alternately pushing each foot down, instead of spinning. 2) a Shimano introduced shifting system.
Q
quadriceps: the large muscle in front of the thigh, the strength of which helps determine a cyclist’s ability to pedal with power.
R
RAAM: the Race Across America, contested from the west coast to the east every year since 1982.
randonnee: a long-distance event in which riders must navigate a prescribed course while passing through intermediate checkpoints within certain time limits.
reach: the combined length of a bike’s top tube and stem, which determines the rider’s distance to the handlebar.
repetition: each hard effort in an interval workout. Also, one complete movement in a weight-training exercise; rep for short.
resistance trainer: a stationary training device into which the bike is clamped. Pedaling resistance increases with pedaling speed to simulate actual riding. Also known as an indoor, wind, fluid, or mag trainer (the last three names derived from the fan, liquid, or magnet that creates resistance on the rear wheel).
road race: a mass-start race on pavement that goes from point to point, covers one large loop or is held on a circuit longer than those used for criteriums.
road rash: any skin abrasion resulting from a fall. Also called crash rash.
rollers: an indoor training device consisting of three long cylinders connected by belts. Both bike wheels roll on these cylinders so that balancing is much like actual riding.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
RA# n. Return Authorization number. A number a vendor gives you to return the “defective” part you broke.
R&D n. Ripoff & Duplication, or Research & Development.
rag dolly v. to wreck in such a way that one’s person is tossed like a flimsy scrap of cloth. “Did you see me rag dolly back there? I think I pierced my ear on a tree branch.”
redsocks n. hikers who always block the best singletracks, so named because they’re always wearing those funny red socks. Also known as HOHAs.
retro-grouch n. a rider who prefers an old bike with old components and isn’t fond of new, high-tech equipment.
‘rhoid buffing v. going down a hill so steep that your butt touches the rear wheel.
Ride On! n. a parting phrase used by riders with out much else to say.
rigid n. a bike with no suspension.
roadie n. a rider who prefers riding on paved surfaces.
road rash n. contact dermatitis; an allergic reaction of skin to moving asphalt.
rock-ectomy v. removing rocks, dirt, gravel from one’s person after a yard sale. “Some betty stopped by and performed a rock ectomy on my knee after the wreck, I think she digs my scene.” rocket fuel n. the mandatory pre-ride coffee.
rockwell v. an unintentionally performed hardness test rendered by a trial side object on your anatomy or possessions. Requires the use of a number to rate the event. “I 50 Rockwelled on that last buster.” “No way, dude, it was at least a 60!”
rookie mark n. chain grease on a rider’s pant leg. “Give that guy extra points for his rookie mark. It’s even on the wrong leg!”
roost v. to go fast or accelerate quickly. Or, to stop suddenly.
S
saddle sores: skin problems in the crotch that develop from chafing caused by pedaling action. Sores can range from tender raw spots to boil-like lesions if infection occurs.
saddle time: time spent cycling.
sag wagon: a motor vehicle that follows a group of riders, carrying equipment and lending assistance in the event of difficulty. Also called the broom wagon.
Schrader: an inner tube valve identical to those found on car tires. A tiny plunger in the center of its opening must be depressed for air to enter or exit.
seatstay: the thin frame tube that extends from the rear dropout to the top of the seat tube. There is a seatstay on each side of the rear wheel.
set: in intervals or weight training, a specific number of repetitions.
singletrack: a trail so narrow that two cyclists can’t easily ride side by side, which makes passing difficult or impossible.
sit on a wheel: to ride in someone’s draft.
slingshot: to ride up behind another rider with help from his draft, then use the momentum to sprint past.
slipstream: the pocket of calmer air behind a moving rider. Also called the draft.
snakebite: see pinch flat.
snap: the ability to accelerate quickly.
soft-pedal: to rotate the pedals without actually applying power.
speed: the ability to accelerate quickly and maintain a very fast cadence for brief periods.
speedwork: a general term for intervals and other high-velocity training, such as sprints, time trials and motor-pacing.
spin: to pedal at high cadence.
spinner: a rider who pedals in a moderate gear at a relatively fast cadence, relying on pedal rpm for speed.
squirrel: a nervous or unstable rider who can’t be trusted to maintain a steady line.
stage race: a multi-day event consisting of various types of races. The winner is the rider with the lowest elapsed time for all races (stages).
straight block: a cassette with cogs that increase in size in one-tooth increments.
suppleness: a quality of highly conditioned leg muscles that allows a rider to pedal at high cadence with smoothness and power. Also known by the French term, souplesse.
schmooz v.the act of reaching a trail head and not riding. What is done when one really can’t stand the thought of starting a ride. Talking. Bullshitting.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
schwag n. free stuff. “Hey, they’re handing out scwag over at the Rock Shox booth.”
scream 1) n. a real biker’s dream ride. 2) n. a long, straight, and deceptively steep hill. 3) v. to bomb so fast one can’t pedal fast enough to make a difference.
singletrack n. trail just wide enough for one person or bike – the Mountain Biker’s holy grail.
sharkbite n. the mark that your large chainring makes in your calf or other exposed body part when you fall.
skid lid n. helmet.
skid row n. that section of trail that nobody ever expects or remembers that always appears too suddenly when riding too fast. Usually switchbacks. Named after all the skid tracks left there from previous riders.
sky v. to jump extremely high. To get big air.
snake bite n. a double puncture of an inner tube, caused by hitting an obstacle too hard or by under-inflation of tires.
sneakers n. tires.
snowmine n. an object hidden by snow on the trail. “Be careful of the snowmines — you know, rocks, logs, hibernating bears…”
soil sample n. a face plant.
spider patrol n. lead rider, or first rider to run into a mongo banana spider.
spike v. to obtain a chainring tattoo on the back of the calf, usually the result of a newbie trying to dab or panic skid at high speeds.
spin v. smooth pedal motion. Opposite of push-push.
spring planting n. a face plant.
spudded v. crashing as a result of not being able to unclip from pedals (spuds) in time to avert disaster.
spuds n. “SPD” (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) clipless pedals.
stack n. crash. v. crash.
steed n. your bike, the reason for your existence.
STI adj. “Shimano Total Integration” — a marketing ploy that forces you to buy new brakes when you replace your shifters.
stoked adj. euphoric feeling of enlightenment, caused by adrenaline rushing to the brain during a gonzo clean.
stoned adj. describes a rider after a crash which imbeds stones into the rider’s skin.
stoppie n. see front wheelie.
superman n. a rider who flies over the handlebars and doesn’t hit the ground for a long time. This may result in injury, but when it doesn’t, it’s really funny for everyone else.
swag n. the stuff that manufacturers and vendors donate to be given away at bike related events. When you race, go to bike shows, help put on events, write bike articles, you are often rewarded with swag. Sometimes called “schwag”.
T
take a flyer: to suddenly sprint away from a group.
team time trial (TTT): a race against the clock with two or more riders working together.
tempo: fast riding at a brisk cadence.
throw the bike: a racing technique in which a rider thrusts the bike ahead of his or her body at the finish line, gaining several inches in hopes of winning a close sprint.
time trial (TT): a race against the clock in which individual riders start at set intervals and cannot give or receive a draft.
tops: the part of a drop handlebar between the stem and the brake levers.
training effect: the result of exercise done with an intensity and duration sufficient to bring about positive physiological changes.
travel: in suspensions, the maximum distance a fork or rear shock can compress.
tubular: a lightweight tire that has its tube sewn inside the casing. Also called a sew-up. The tire is glued to the rim.
turkey: an unskilled cyclist.
turnaround: the point where the riders reverse direction on an out-and-back time trial course.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
table-top n.a jump in which the rider throws the bike sideways in mid-air. Less commonly, a jump made over a hill that reaches a plateau and goes back down.
taco v. to bend a wheel over on itself, in the shape of a taco. “I taco’d my wheel, and it cost me a hundred bucks.” Worse than a potato chip.
tea party n. when a whole group of riders stops and chats, and nobody seems to want to ride on.
technical n. a section of trail that is difficult to ride because of rocks, tree roots, steep drops.
techno-fad n. a screwy or unique technology that a dominant company (usually Shimano) tries to foist upon the innocent cycling public. Past techno-fads include Biopace chainrings, and overly complex “thumb-thumb” or “push-push” shifters.
techno-weenie n. a rider who knows more about the newest MTB parts and techno-fads than about the trails. Someone who buys lots of gadgets to add supposed iotas of performance to the bike. Greeting a friend whom we haven’t seen in a year, I might say “Hi, Marta!” A techno-weenie might say “Oooh, you got White Industries hubs on that bike now?”
thrash 1) v. to cause severe ecological damage to a trail, usually during the wet season. 2) adj. a damaged trail “That trail’s really thrashed after last winter.”
three-hour tour n. a ride that looks like a piece of cake at the outset but turns out to be a death march. Derived from the theme song to “Gilligan’s Island.”
ti n. titanium. Some riders would replace their watches, rings, glasses frames, and gold tooth-fillings with titanium if they could afford to.
toe clips n. a clip-and-strap system that connects a rider’s feet and toes to her pedals. Toe clips usually don’t require special shoes.
tombstone n. one of those damn little rocks protruding out of the trail which you don’t notice because you are having a heart-attack climbing the hill.
tornado v. to balance on your front wheel while turning your back wheel 90-180 degrees in either direction.
track stand n. (from road-cycling) a maneuver where the rider stops the bike and attempts to remain standing.
trail head n. the start point of a mountain bike trail.
trail mix n. the involuntary release of last night’s dinner by the way it came in, usually with the assistance of too many adult beverages and accompanied by a long grinder.
trail swag n. equipment or accessories dropped by other bikers and found on the trail.
tricked out adj. when a bike has the latest and hottest components.
tweak n. a jump during which the rider twists the handlebars back and forth in mid-air, the more times the better. v. 1) to slightly injure a part of the body or the bike in a crash. “I tweaked my wrist when I fell.” 2) to make a minor adjustment. “My brake pads were rubbing but I tweaked the cable and it went away.”
U
ultra cycling: used to describe the side of the sport involving the longest endurance events. Also called ultramarathon.
Ultramarathon Cycling Association: the event-sanctioning, record-keeping and informational organization for ultra riders.
unweight: the act of momentarily lightening the bike through a combination of body movement and position. It’s integral to jumping over things such as potholes or railroad tracks.
UCI: Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body of bicycle racing, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
upshift: to shift to a higher gear, i.e. a smaller cog or larger chainring.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
unobtanium adj. describing a bike or accessory made from expensive, high-tech material. A play on “unobtainable” and “titanium.” n. a piece (of god knows what) that has come off from the inside of something else and rattles around, impossible to retrieve to stop the rattling. E.g. a piece of weld comes off of the inside of a bike frame.
V
velodrome: an oval banked track for bicycle racing.
VO2 max: the maximum amount of oxygen that can be consumed during all-out exertion. This is a key indicator of a person’s potential in cycling and other aerobic sports. It’s largely genetically determined but can be improved somewhat by training.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
vegetable tunnel n.a singletrack that is heavily overgrown with foliage, so a rider must duck and bend to get through it.
void n. 1) to empty the contents of one’s bladder. “Where were you, man? We waited for at least two minutes.” “Sorry, dude, I had to void, my back teeth were floating.” 2) a deep chasm that you have to clear or you will die.
VTT n. Velo Tout-Terrain, the French term for mountain biking. Velo = bike, Tout = all, and Terrain = Terrain, duh.
vultures n. spectators who line up at dangerous obstacles in hopes of seeing blood.
W
watt: a measurement of power produced. It tells how much force is applied to the pedals. A power output of 100 watts will illuminate a 100-watt light bulb.
wheelie: to elevate the front wheel and ride on the rear wheel only.
wheelsucker: someone who drafts behind others but doesn’t take a pull.
windchill: the effect of air moving across the skin, making the temperature seem colder than it actually is. A cyclist creates a windchill even on a calm day, a situation that must be considered when dressing for winter rides.
wind up: steady acceleration to an all-out effort.
Terms used in Mountain Biking
wang chung n. what you might get when your stem has no nard guard.
washboard n. small, regular undulations of the soil surface that make for a very rough ride.
wash out v. to have the front tire lose traction, especially while going around a corner.
weight-weenie n. a MTB owner (not even necessarily a rider) who is more concerned with how many milligrams a certain component saves off the bike’s total weight than with how to be a better rider.
wheelie n. lifting the front wheel off the ground, usually with some combination of pulling on the handlebars, pedaling harder, and balance.
wheelie drop n. a combo of a wheelie and a jump, used to negotiate a large drop with little speed due to a limited run-out.
whoop-de-doos n. a series of up-and-down bumps, suitable for jumping.
wild pigs n. poorly adjusted brake pads that squeal in use.
winky a reflector.
wipeout n. a crash. v. (“wipe out”) to crash.
WOMBATS n. “WOmen’s Mountain Biking And Tea Society”, a Marin-based organization founded by writer and former MTB racer Jacquie Phelan.
wonky adj. not functioning properly. “I bailed, and now my wheel is all wonky and all I hear are wild pigs.”
wrench v. to work on one’s steed, to adjust or repair. n. a bike shop mechanic. “I blew my shock but the wrench at Charlie’s dialed it back in for me.”
Y
Terms used in Mountain Biking
yard sale n. (from skiing) a horrendous crash that leaves all your various “wares” — water bottles, pump, tool bag, etc. — scattered as if on display for sale.
Z
Terms used in Mountain Biking
The Zone n. a state of mind experienced while riding. You don’t think, you just do. A truly mystical experience that can’t be fully explained, but when you get there you’ll know it and strive to reach it again.
zone out v. a state of mind where you think you’ve reached The Zone, but you really just stopped paying attention to what you’re doing. Usually used as an excuse for a particularly embarrassing biff.
zonk v. same as bonk.
Feel free to contact us at info@BicycleThailand.com if you know of a term we missed here. Or comment below.
For additional technical terms used for bicycle maintenance and parts please refer to Sheldon Brown’s excellent Bicycle Glossary.
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