Cycling Terminology 101:

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Part 1: The Engine Room

Terms related to the body, fitness, and the physics of riding.

Bonk

When a cyclist reaches their physical limit and the body completely runs out of energy.

• Also known as: “Hitting the wall.”
• Real World Context: "I forgot to eat for three hours, bonked hard, and had to call my partner for a rescue ride."

Cadence

The number of pedal strokes a cyclist completes within a minute (RPM).

• Pro Tip: Efficient riders spin at a higher cadence; grinding at a low cadence exhausts muscles faster.

Carbo-loading

A nutrition routine practiced a few days before a race, consuming high carbohydrates to store energy.

LSD (Long Steady Distance)

A training technique requiring at least two hours of firm, consistent aerobic pace to build endurance.

Mash

Pushing hard on the pedals, usually in a gear that is too big.

Overgear

The practice of using a gear ratio too big for one’s physical capabilities or the terrain demands.

Saddle Time

Simply refers to the time spent cycling.

• Context: "To get better, you just need more saddle time."

Threshold

The highest intensity a cyclist can sustain for a prolonged period without accumulating excessive lactic acid.

Zone Out

When a cyclist stops paying attention to what they are doing, often caused by fatigue.

• Danger: A common cause of solo accidents.

Part 2: Race Tactics & The Peloton

How riders interact, race, and strategize.

Attack

A sudden, aggressive acceleration to get away from another rider or group.

Abandon

When a rider quits the race for any reason.

Breakaway

When a group of riders manages to distance itself from the main group (the peloton).

Blow Up

When a cyclist faces over-exhaustion and cannot continue the race at the required pace.

Domestique

A rider whose job is to help the team leader rather than try to win.

• Translation: From French, meaning “servant.”

Drafting

Riding closely behind another rider to reduce wind resistance and save energy.

Feed Zones

A designated area along the racetrack where food and drinks are handed to participants (often via a bag called a musette).

Gap

The time or distance between a rider (or group) and another rider (or group).

Hanging In

When a rider is tired but manages to stick to the back of the group without getting dropped.

Jam

A period of hard, fast riding during a race.

Jump

A quick, sharp acceleration during the race, often used to bridge a gap or start a sprint.

Neutral Support

Help given to all riders along the course for mechanical issues only (regardless of team).

Peloton

The main group of cyclists in a road race.

• Benefit: Riders in the peloton save massive amounts of energy by riding close together.

Slipstream

The area of reduced air resistance directly behind a rider.

• Strategy: You sit in the slipstream to "draft."

Wheel Sucking

A negative slang term for a rider who drafts behind others without taking a turn at the front.

Part 3: Course Features & Race Types

The terrain and the events.

Apex

The geometric center of a turn; the point a cyclist aims for to take the fastest "racing line."

Intermediate Sprint

A section in the middle of a race stage where points are awarded to the first riders to cross a specific line.

Hors Catégorie

French for "Beyond Category." A rating for the most challenging climbs (e.g., Alpe d’Huez).

Metric Century

A 100-kilometer ride (approx. 62 miles).

Queen Stage

The most challenging and physically demanding stage of a multi-day race.

Time Trial (TT)

A race format where cyclists compete individually against the clock. No drafting allowed.

Velodrome

An oval, banked track specifically designed for track cycling races.

Part 4: Skills & Manoeuvres (And Crashes)

How to handle the bike, and what happens when you fail.

Bail

To toss the bike away or jump clear just before a crash.

Bunny Hop

A technique of lifting both wheels off the ground to hop over obstacles like potholes or rocks.

Catch Air

When both wheels leave the ground, usually due to a rise or dip in terrain.

Endo

Short for end-over-end. A crash where the cyclist goes over the handlebars.

Eat It

Slang for crashing.

Faceplant

An accident resulting in the cyclist falling on their face.

Portage

When a racer (usually in Cyclocross) dismounts and carries their bike.

Road Rash

An injury caused by sliding across the tarmac. Common and painful.

Taco’d

A severely damaged wheel that is bent into the shape of a taco.

Yard Sale

A crash where all the cyclist’s gear (bottles, pump, spare tubes) ends up scattered across the road.

Part 5: Gear, Bikes & Tech

The hardware.

Aero

Short for aerodynamic. Gear designed to slice through the wind (skinsuits, helmets, frames).

Fat Bikes

Bikes with massive tires designed for snow and sand.

Kit

A matching outfit of cycling shorts and jersey.

LBS

Abbreviation for Local Bike Shop.

V-Brake

A specific type of rim brake, often found on older mountain bikes and hybrids.

Wild Pigs

Poorly adjusted brake pads that squeal loudly.

Wrench

Slang for a professional bike mechanic.

Part 6: Culture, People & Slang

The social side of cycling.

DNF

Did Not Finish. The worst acronym on a results sheet.

Equipe

French word for "Team."

GORP

Originally standing for “Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts”, today it is a mix of high-energy snacks consumed during the ride.

Organ Donor

Dark slang for someone riding without a helmet.

Palmarès

A list of a rider's achievements and race wins.

Roadie

A rider who prefers road races and pavement over dirt.

Rouleur

A rider who performs well on flat or rolling terrain and can maintain high speeds for long periods.

Schwag

Free samples (stickers, bottles, etc.), usually given away at events.

Squirrel

A nervous or unpredictable rider.

• Warning: "Stay away from him, he's riding like a squirrel!"

UCI

Union Cycliste Internationale. Headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland, it is the global governing body of bicycle racing.

Vultures

Spectators who line up at dangerous obstacles, expecting to see crashes.

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Image credits Title image: Unsplash / Quino Al; Image 2: FREEP!K / Jannoon028; Image 3: FREEP!K / Wirestock; Image 4: Unsplash / Quino Al; Image 5: Unsplash / Dylan Nolte; Image 6: Unsplash / Ben Neal; Image 7: FREEP!K / Freepik; Image 8: Unsplash / James Thomas