Sports Glossaries
	Glossary Index	Search Site

aero bar

A handlebar that juts forward so that the rider can assume a low profile for better aerodynamics.

attack

A sudden burst of speed designed to leave a rider or group of riders behind. As a verb, to attempt an attack.

Top of Page

biff

A crash.

block

To disrupt a chase by slowing down the pace line. It can be the action of one or more riders. Blocking is often done to protect a teammate who's in the lead.

bonk

A state of exhaustion brought on by lack of food during a long stretch of riding.

break-away

The action of a rider or group of riders that launches an attack and leaves the main group behind.

bridge

To move from one group of riders to another group that's farther ahead.

bunny-hop

Jumping the bike over an obstacle without dismounting.

Top of Page

cadence

Pedaling rate, in revolutions per minute of one of the cyclist's feet.

chainsuck

The unhappy situation when the chain gets caught between the rear wheel and chain stay.

chase

The pursuit, usually by a group of riders, of another group that's farther ahead, often one engaged in a breakaway.

chasers

Riders who are involved in a chase.

circuit

One trip over a course that is traversed more than once during a road race; the equivalent of a lap in track racing.

circuit race

A multi-lap race on a course of two miles or longer.

cleat

A metal or plastic attachment on the sole of the cycling shoe that fits into an opening to fasten the shoe to the pedal.

criterium

A multi-lap race on a course of a mile or less.

cross-country

Descriptive of a mountain bike race that takes place over trails, jeep roads, and similar difficult terrain.

Top of Page

derailleur

A mechanism that moves the bicycle chain from one gear sprocket to another when the gear is shifted.

devil take the hindmost

A popular name for the miss-and-out race.

disk wheel

A solid wheel, without spokes, that's used in the time trial and sometimes in other races because of its aerodynamic qualities.

domestique

The team rider in a long race who's responsible for getting food, water, and other from the support vehicle and distributing them to his teammates.

draft

To ride close behind another racer in order to take advantage of decreased wind resistance.

drops

The lower portion of down-turned handlebars.

Top of Page

echelon

A diagonal line of riders, in which each rider is downwind of the rider immediately ahead. It's a cooperative group, since each rider takes a turn in front, fighting the wind while the other riders are shielded from it.

Top of Page

field

The main group of riders in a race.

field sprint

A sprint among riders in the main group, usually at the end of a stage in a long race.

fixed gear

A direct drive system, used on track bikes, in which the chain ring and rear cog are linked, so that the pedals turn constantly while the bicycle is moving, and coasting isn't possible.

flyer

A surprise attack by a single rider.

force the pace

To increase speed in order to make the entire group go faster.

full tuck

The deep crouch used by cyclists for better aerodynamics.

Top of Page

gap

The difference in time between individuals and/or groups of riders. As a verb, to increase the gap.

granny gear

The lowest gear on a mountain bike, used for very steep climbs.

Top of Page

hammer

To ride very hard, at the limit of one's capabilities.

hammered

Totally exhausted.

handicap

A type of track race, very popular in Australia, in which the riders start from different points, based on past performance. The fastest riders, known as "scratch men," start at the usual start line, while the "outmarkers" start at various positions up to 250 meters away, thus getting a head start.

hang on

To maintain contact with a group of riders, but just barely.

headset

The part of the bicycle frame where the fork, stem, and handlebar are fitted.

hook

To block a following rider by moving the back wheel to the side.

hooks

The curved portions of down-turned handlebars.

Top of Page

individual pursuit

A type of race in which the two riders start on opposite sides of the track and chase each other for a distance ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 meters. If one rider catches up to the other, the race is over. If not, the rider with the fastest time wins.

interval

To alternate between forcing the pace and resting, with the intention of wearing out other riders.

Top of Page

jump

A sudden burst of speed that usually becomes a sprint.

Top of Page

keirin

A Japanese variation of the motorpace, with only one motorbike. Riders fight for position, attempting to get into the motorbike's slipstream in order to increase speed. Just before the last lap, the motorbike leaves the track and the riders sprint to the finish. In Japan, there's parimutuel betting on the keirin. Also spelled keiren.

kick

A burst of speed near the finish line in an attempt to beat another rider or riders.

Top of Page

lap

One trip around a track that is traversed more than once during a race.

lead out

To sprint in front of another rider, almost always a teammate, so that rider can take advantage of the draft for a time, before coming past with an even faster sprint toward the finish.

Top of Page

Madison

A track race of a specific duration in time, ranging from six hours to six days, for teams of two or three riders. The winner is the team covering the greatest distance in the specified time. Only one rider from each team is on the track at any given time. A rider goes as fast as possible for one or two laps, then leaves the track and is replaced by another member of the team. A unique feature of the Madison is that the rider who leaves the track hurls the teammate into the race by using a special handle in the rear pocket of the teammate's racing shorts. The event is named for Madison Square Garden, where six-day bicycle races originated.

mass start

Descriptive of a race in which all the riders start at the same time. Among the types of races that have mass starts are the scratch race, the points race, and the miss-and-out.

match sprint

A race, usually of 1 kilometer, in which two riders compete against one another. The match sprint is conducted like a tournament, with the winners of one round of heats advancing to the next round until only two remain to compete for the championship. However, riders who lose in the first heat are often given a second chance, called the repechage.

miss-and-out

A type of mass start race in which the last rider across the finish line after each lap or circuit is eliminated. When a predetermined number of riders remain, they take part in a sprint to determine the winner.

motorpace

A popular type of race in Europe, in which each rider is behind a small motorcycle or moped, which provides a slipstream.

Top of Page

neutral support

Assistance that is given to a rider by someone other than a teammate. In road races and time trials, a follow truck carries a mechanic, spare tires, and other parts in order to offer neutral support to riders who have mechanical problems. In mountain bike racing, however, neutral support is against the rules and results in disqualification.

noodle

To ride at a relatively slow, easy pace.

Top of Page

Olympic sprint

A pursuit race between teams of three riders each. After one lap, the lead rider leaves the track. After the second lap, another rider leaves, and the last rider continues for a third lap to the finish line.

Top of Page

pace line

A group of riders, usually in an echelon, who take turns setting the pace so that the others can draft on the leader.

peloton

The field.

pinch flat

A flat tire caused by hitting an obstacle very hard, so that the inner tube is pinched against the rim.

pixie gear

Same as granny gear.

points race

This is similar to a scratch race, but points are awarded to the top riders in a series of sprints conducted at various points throughout the race, and the winner is the rider who accumulates the most points.

pole line

A yellow line around the inside of a velodrome track that measures the track's length.

pull

To take a turn at the front of a pace line, thus pulling the other riders along.

push climb

A portion of a trail where riders have to dismount and push or carry their bikes because of a very steep grade and/or poor traction.

Top of Page

rainbow jersey

A multi-colored striped jersey that is worn by the defending world champion.

repechage

A second chance given to losers of earlier heats in most match sprint competitions. The winner of a repechage continues on in the competition.

road rash

Skin abrasion caused by a fall.

Top of Page

scratch race

Any race in which all riders cover the same distance from a mass start and the winner is the first rider across the finish line. Virtually all road races are scratch races.

single track

A section of trail that's wide enough for only one rider.

sit in

To get close behind the rider immediately in front in order to draft.

slipstream

The area of lowered wind resistance behind a rider.

snakebite

Same as pinch flat.

spin

To pedal at a very high cadence.

suspension

A system that absorbs shock on mountain bikes and some road bikes.

Top of Page

take a flyer

See flyer.

tandem sprint

The tandem sprint is like a match sprint, but it's ridden on two-man tandem bicycles over a 1,500-meter course.

team pursuit

This is similar to the individual pursuit race, except that there are two teams of four riders each. The teams ride in pace lines and the leader changes every half-lap or every lap. Standard distance is 4,000 meters. The team's time is taken when the third rider crosses the finish line, so the fourth rider doesn't have to finish.

technical

Descriptive of a portion of trail that tests a rider's handling skills.

time trial

A race in which riders or teams go around the track or course individually and the fastest time wins.

toe clips

Clips or straps that securely fasten the rider's feet to the bicycle's pedals.

track bike

A very simple bike used for track racing. It has a single-speed gear without freewheeling and there are no brakes.

track stand

The act of balancing the bicycle in place, with the feet on the pedals. In the match sprint, riders usually begin with a track stand, because each of them wants the other to set the pace in order to take advantage of the slipstream.

Top of Page

velodrome

A track built specifically for bicycle racing, made up of two long straights and two short, curved end sections that are sharply banked. Most velodromes are 1/3 of a kilometer around, though some are as short as 200 meters and others as long as 500 meters.

Top of Page

weenie gear

Same as granny gear.

wind-out

A sprint that develops slowly, with gradual acceleration to top speed.

Top of Page