Cycle Racing Jargon
- ATTACK: A sudden acceleration to elude another rider or group of riders.
- BLOCKING: When one rider or a group of riders attempts to slow the field to allow the lead riders to break away. Used as a team tactic.
- BONK: Running completely out of energy. Also known as "hitting the wall."
- BREAK or BREAKAWAY: A rider or group of riders that leaves the main group behind.
- BRIDGE: To leave one group of riders and join another group that is further ahead.
- CHASERS: Riders who are trying to catch a breakaway group.
- CIRCUIT RACE: A multi-lap event on a course usually two miles or more in length.
- CRITERIUM: A multi-lap event on a course usually a mile or less in length. Bike handling skills and the ability to sprint well are important factors to success.
- DERAILLEUR: The mechanism which moves the chain from one gear to another.
- DOMESTIQUE: A team rider who will sacrifice individual performance to work for a designated teammate.
- DRAFTING: Riding in a slipstream, or pocket of moving air, created by the rider in the front. This enables the second rider to maintain speed with less effort.
- ECHELON: A staggered line of riders, each downwind of the rider immediately ahead.
- FEEDING: A member of the team's support crew in a designated area on the course supplies liquid and food to riders during the race.
- FIELD: The main group of riders. Also known as the "pack," "bunch" or "peloton."
- FIELD SPRINT: A sprint to the finish among the main group of riders.
- FLYER: A surprise attack, usually done alone.
- FORCE THE PACE: When one rider goes faster at the front of the pack to increase the tempo or speed.
- GENERAL CLASSIFICATION: (Abbreviated, gen. class or G.C.) Ranking that describes overall finish in a stage race by combining accumulated times from all stages.
- HAMMERING: Riding hard, going all out.
- HANGING ON: Barely maintaining contact at the back of the pack.
- HOOK: To move one's back wheel against the front wheel of a following bike.
- INTERVAL TRAINING: The tactic of sprinting, then resting and sprinting again.
- JUMP: A quick acceleration usually developing into a sprint.
- KICK: A final burst of speed which provides acceleration for the sprint.
- LEAD-OUT: An intentional sacrificing tactic whereby one rider sprints early to provide a high speed draft to the rider on his wheel. That rider comes around the leader at an even faster speed just before the end of the race.
- PACE LINE: A string of riders who alternately ride at the front and sit in.
- PRIME: (pronounced "PREEM") A sprint within a race for points or cash prizes.
- PULL: To take a turn at the front of the group, maintaining the same rate of speed.
- SEW-UP: The type of tire used by competitive cyclists. The tube is sewn so that tube and tire are one unit. Made of silk, these tires weigh 150-200 grams and cost $50-70 each.
- SITTING IN: Drafting, or sitting closely behind the rider immediately in front.
- SLIPSTREAM: The area of least wind resistance behind a rider.
- SQUIRRELLY: Used to describe a nervous or unstable rider.
- STAGE RACE: An event consisting of several one-day races over a period of time. Winner is determined by best overall time (general classification) for all races combined.
- TAKE A FLYER: To ride off the front suddenly.
- TEMPO RIDING: Rider or riders sharing work at the front to maintain a higher pace. (see Forcing the Pace).