Are you curious about what your cycling buddies are saying? Do not fret! Since I primarily ride mountain bikes, some cycling jargon completely escapes me. To aid with any confusion, I've put up this A to Z guide. Some of the terms listed below are likely familiar to you, but many of them might be new to you (as they were to me before researching this post).

This information should help you understand any ambiguity and sound knowledgeable while speaking with other riders. Read on to discover more about these common riding words whether you're new to cycling or have been doing it for a while. This A to Z of cycling terminologies will teach you the fundamentals of riding terminology.

ATHENA

A female triathlete who weighs more over 150 pounds and/or is 5'10" tall is referred to by this cycling word from the triathlon community. It signifies that the person is strong and powerful like the Greek goddess Athena rather than being in any way disparaging. (Also see Clydesdale)

ATTACK

when a cyclist increases their pace and power in an attempt to get away from a group or another rider, usually during a race.

BEACH CRUISER

a bicycle style built for relaxed cycling. The rider is seated upright because of the characteristic low seats and high handlebars.

BIBS

Cycling shorts with suspenders from BIBS (like overalls). Since bibs are more comfortable for lengthy rides than shorts, many cyclists favor them.

BONK

when a cyclist exhausts all of their energy and is unable to pedal at all. They typically didn't eat or drink enough on their journey, which is why this occurs. Consume your carbs!

BRAZE-ON

Something welded to the frame of a bicycle, such as derailleur hangers, water bottle rack mounts, etc.

CADENCE

Your pedals' cadence is the number of times they complete one rotation every minute. It usually increases in proportion to the amount of power you can output. A beginner's cadence might be at 30 RPM, and an elite cyclist seeking optimum efficiency might be cadenced at 60 RPM or higher!

CENTURY

A 100-mile bike trip or competition.

CHAFING

when the rider's skin, clothes, and saddle rub against one another. Chafing can cause anything from a small annoyance to serious open wounds. (Also see saddle sores.)

CABLE SUCK

When you downshift and the chain becomes stuck to the chainring teeth, it jams between the tiny ring and the frame.

CHAMOIS (OR SHAMMIES)

Cycling shorts with a cushioned inner to assist prevent chafing or soreness on your derriere.

CHASERS

Riders who are trying to catch up to a group or the leader

CLIPLESS

a kind of pedal arrangement where the rider must use the cleat on the bottom of their cycling shoes to clip their shoes into the pedals. A cyclist must "clip out" in order to put their feet down or dismount when they are "clipped in" to their bike. Due to their increased pedaling efficiency, clipless pedals are used by the majority of cyclists.

CLYDESDALE

A male athlete who weighs more than 200 pounds and/or is taller than 6 feet is referred to as a "big boy" in the world of triathlons. This isn't meant to be disparaging in any manner; rather, it suggests that the subject is physically fit and powerful like a Clydesdale horse. (Also see Athena.)

CREDIT CARD TOURING

Long-distance bicycling without a tent or other form of camping.

CRITERIUM (OR CRIT)

A type of racing that takes place on closed courses with four or fewer turns is known as CRITERIUM (OR CRIT). The racers do predetermined quantities for laps, which often last between 30 and 90 minutes.

CROSS CHAINING

when the drivetrain is crossed diagonally by the bike chain. This occurs when the chain is on the front-facing large (easiest) ring and the back-facing small (hardest) rings, or vice versa. Cross-chaining is not recommended since it may result in the chain rubbing and producing grinding noises.

CYCLOCROSS

An off-road racing discipline in which cyclists must navigate a series of obstacles, such as fences, sandpits, mud pits, and steep hike-a-bike hills. Except for their slightly larger and knobbier tires, cyclocross bikes and road bikes have fairly similar appearances. In essence, cyclocross is a hybrid between cross-country mountain biking and road riding.

CYCLOMETER

A bicycle computer that records data like as mileage, occasionally GPS, elevation gain or loss, etc...

DOMESTIQUE

a cyclist who rides beside a professional racer, either by keeping pace with them or by generating a slipstream into which they can draft.

DRAFTING

In order to "draft" behind another rider or group of riders, a rider or group of riders positions themselves behind that rider or group. To make it easier for the riders behind to pedal, the riders in front block the wind. Energy use can be reduced by up to 30% when drafting.

DROP BARS

The handlebars on the majority of road bikes are drop-bars, allowing for a variety of hand and body postures when riding. The rider's body position is more aerodynamic when their hands are positioned lower on the curved parts of the handlebars.

ECHELON

when cyclists line up behind one another in a single file to maximize wind protection. (Also see peloton.)

ETAPE

a stage of a stage race is known as a stade in French.

FEED ZONE

a designated tent or location along a race's course where participants can refuel with snacks and beverages.

FIXIE

These bikes, also referred to as fixed-gear bikes, only have one gear, typically have no brakes, and have a transmission that enables you to cycle backward. A few track racing bicycles have fixed gears.

Fastest Known Time (FKT).

when cyclists compete to complete a predefined route in the quickest time.

FULL TUCK

When attempting to maintain maximum speed on downhills, cyclists adopt a very compact stance.

GEAR RATIO

the proportion of front to rear gears on your vehicle. This considers the quantity of front chainrings, the quantity of cassette gears, and the quantity of teeth on each cog or ring. While some gear ratios are made for slow, steady riding, others are made for quick sprinting.

GHOST BIKE

a white painted bike that is fastened with a chain to a post, tree, or other marking. These bicycles serve as a memorial to a cyclist who was killed by a car.

GRANNY GEAR

The bicycle's easiest gear. This is the smallest front chainring and the biggest rear chainring on the cassette.

HAMMER

to engage a hard gear and ride forcefully and fiercely.

HOUR RECORD

The longest cycled distance in an hour. Joscelin Lowden (W) and Victor Campenaerts (M) presently hold the record with distances of 48.405 km and 55.089 km, respectively.

KIT

The clothing that cyclists don. A kit can contain socks, a helmet, gloves, and other items that a cyclist wears in addition to the standard cycling jersey and shorts. A lot of cyclists place a lot of value on their "kit."

LBS

Local Bike Shop

LSD

Not that LSD... A long, steady distance is a type of training that necessitates maintaining a vigorous aerobic pace for at least two hours.

MUSETTE

a bag that is distributed at a feed zone and contains food and nutrition.

NO DROP RIDE

a group ride where the riders are all waited for. There won't be any riders dropped.

ORGAN DONOR

a rider who doesn't wear a helmet.

PACING

This occurs when a cyclist maintains a modest, steady pace that is typically predetermined in order to save energy for a better race finish.

PATHLETE

a cyclist who travels recklessly on a recreational trail or bike route, frequently without regard for other users of the way or for pedestrians.

PELOTON

a race or ride's largest group of riders. Cycling in a peloton enables riders to conserve energy until they need it to break away from the pack by drafting after one another. (Related to drafting)

PULL

When a rider is leading a pack or a peloton, they are pulling. Since they are not receiving any advantages from drafting, they are working the hardest when they are "pulling." Similar to how Canada geese fly in a V formation, riders often alternate pulls by riding at the front and then lowering to the back. When there is a strong headwind or a lengthy ride, this tactic performs extremely well.

QUEEN STAGE

the most challenging leg of a stage race. It typically involves the greatest gain in elevation.

RECUMBENT

a style of bicycle where the rider sits with their legs out in front of them while pedaling, as opposed to being seated upright.

ROADIE 

A die-hard road cyclist.

ROAD RASH

the wounds and abrasions that cyclists sustain when they collide with concrete. Road rash may be extremely painful and is not enjoyable.

RPM

Revolutions per minute is abbreviated as RPM. (Related to cadence)

SADDLE SORES

Friction between your skin and the saddle might result in unpleasant blisters or even abscesses. Saddle sores and chafing are more common among cyclists and riders who are newer to the sport and have poorly fitted saddles. Saddle sores can be avoided by using chamois cream and wearing chamois. In spite of this, almost all cyclists eventually develop saddle sores and chafing.

SADDLE TIME

Spending time on the saddle (i.e. riding).

SAG WAGON

a vehicle that offers support by following a rider or group of riders. In races, riders who are unable to finish are often picked up by the sag wagon.

SWAG VS. SCHWAG

Free gifts that are frequently distributed at competitions and events.

SINGLESPEED

a bicycle with just one gear. Some cyclists find this entertaining.

SLINGSHOT 

To ride up behind another rider and use their slipstream to then sprint past them.

SLIPSTREAM

the area of space left behind a vehicle or another cyclist after them. (See also peloton and drafting.)

SPINNING

rapid pedaling in a low gear. As opposed to riding at a slower cadence in a higher gear, this is more energy-efficient and efficient.

SPRINT

A quick acceleration on the bike.

SQUIRREL

a word used in cycling to describe a rider who is disorganized and unable to ride in a straight line with other riders.

STEED 

Your bike. 

TANDEM

a bicycle intended for two riders.

TIME TRIAL (TT)

A race against the clock is a TIME TRIAL (TT). Either an individual or a group can participate in this race. Many time trial cyclists use every possible measure to improve their aerodynamics, including adjusting their body position, using aerodynamic helmets, and even donning skin suits to reduce drag.

VELODROME

a racers' oval oval track with sloped walls.

WATT 

A unit used to measure power. The output of watts increases when a cyclist increases their level of exertion. A cyclist travels at a faster rate the higher the wattage output.

WHEELSUCKER

someone who follows the group while not rotating through the front. Being referred to as a wheelsucker is bad.

ZONE (THE)

a mental condition when you and your bike are the only things present.