Glossary

A

Attack: A sudden acceleration to elude another rider or group of riders.

B

Blocking: When one rider or a group of riders disrupts a chase by slowing down a paceline.

Bonk: Total exhaustion caused by lack of sufficient food during a long race or ride.

Break, 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 farther ahead.

C

Chasers: Riders who are trying to catch a breakaway group.

Climb: Riding up a hard hill.

Criterium: A multi-lap event on a course usually a mile or less in length.

Crowd Prime: See "prime." Money for a "crowd prime" is collected from the spectators. Crowd primes are particularly popular with racers.

D

Domestique: A team rider who will sacrifice individual performance to work for a designated teammate.

Drafting: Riding closely behind another rider to save energy by using that racer as a windbreak.

F

Field: The main group of riders. Also known as the "pack," "bunch," or "peloton."

Field sprint: A sprint at the finish among the main group of riders.

Flyer: A surprise attack, usually done alone.

G

Gap: The distance (usually measured in time) between individuals or groups. Gaps are "opened" and "closed."

H

Hammer: Riding hard, going all out.

Hanging on: Barely maintaining contact at the back of the pack.

Hook: To suddenly move one's back wheel to the side, forcing the following rider to slowdown to avoid running into the front rider's bike.

J

Jump: A quick acceleration usually developing into a sprint.

K

Kick: A final burst of speed that provides acceleration for the sprint.

L

Lead-out: An intentional sacrificing tactic whereby one rider races at high speed to give a head start to the rider on his wheel. That rider comes around the leader at an even faster speed for a finishing sprint.

M

Mechanical: Slang for a mechanical problem with the bicycle.

P

Paceline: Riders in a single file. The rider on the front is doing the most work while the others ride in his/her slipstream.

Pack: See "Field."

Prime: (pronounced "preem") A prize given to a rider who wins a sprint during a race. This is not the finish. The race continues after the prime sprint. See "Crowd Prime."

Pull: To take a turn at the front of the group, maintaining the same speed of the group.