Oct 09, 2024

The Ultimate Cycling Dictionary: 100+ Road & Gravel Cycling Terms

Welcome to the Sigr Cycling Dictionary—your go-to guide for cycling lingo, from the serious to the downright silly. This collection of terms and sayings is all about bringing a bit of humour to the sport we love, while sneaking in some genuinely useful info along the way. Think of it as a tongue-in-cheek way to sound like a pro at your next group ride (or at least be able to laugh along with one).

Jump to:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

A

Attack: A sudden burst of speed intended to break away from the group. Usually followed by the inevitable realization: “What was I thinking?”

B

Bib Shorts: Bib shorts are the Lycra wonder that holds everything in place while providing a padded cushion for those long days in the saddle. They’re like regular shorts, but with built-in suspenders that say, “I take this very seriously.” Perfect for comfort, performance, and avoiding awkward tan lines.

Bonk: When a cyclist runs out of energy so fast they feel like they've hit a wall. The solution? Cake, lots of cake.

Breakaway: A group of riders attempting to leave the peloton behind. The cycling equivalent of trying to sneak away from a dull party.

Broom Wagon: The vehicle that follows the last riders in a race to pick up those who've dropped out. Basically the bus of shame.

C

Cadence: The speed at which a cyclist pedals. The sweet spot is somewhere between "too slow to be cool" and "too fast to care."

Car Back: A shout to alert other riders that a car is approaching from behind. Followed by the immediate tightening of the group, and sometimes panic.

Chain Gang: A group of cyclists riding in a close formation. Not to be confused with the punishment in prison; this is actually voluntary.

Chainring Tattoo: That oily imprint of your chainring teeth on your leg. Worn with shame or pride, depending on who sees it first.

Chamois (Pad): The unsung hero of any cycling kit, providing much-needed cushioning where it counts. Whether it’s a short ride to the café or a full-day epic, your chamois is there to protect you from the dreaded saddle sores. Remember: the thicker the pad, the happier the ride.

Chapeau: French for "hat," but in cycling, it means "well done!" It’s the polite way of saying, “You dropped me, but I’ll be back.”

Century: A 100-mile ride. Usually starts out with excitement, but somewhere around mile 70, you question your life choices.

Climbing: The act of riding uphill. Known to induce both pain and the sensation that gravity is your true enemy.

Clipless Pedals: Pedals that ironically require you to clip in with cleats. If it sounds confusing, that’s because it is—until you fall over at a stoplight.

Coffee Ride: A casual, social ride with the sole purpose of getting to a café. Fitness goals optional, cake essential.

Criterium: A short, fast-paced race on a closed circuit. Think of it as cycling’s answer to high-speed laps, minus the engines.

Cycling Widow/er: The partner left at home while you’re off on yet another ride. Known for asking, “Are you ever home?” and “Do you really need another bike?”

Cyclocross: A race over mixed terrain with obstacles that sometimes require riders to carry their bikes. Like road cycling, but with more mud... and hurdles.

D

Dancing on the Pedals: When a climber looks effortless on a steep ascent. Everyone else is suffering, but they're somehow pirouetting up the hill.

Descent: Riding downhill, often at speed. Gravity is finally your friend, but braking is now your best mate.

Domestique: A rider who supports their team leader, often sacrificing their own chances of glory. The unsung hero of the peloton, or just the guy who didn't make the cut.

E

Echelon: A diagonal formation used by cyclists to shield themselves from crosswinds. Tactical, but really just an excuse to ride sideways.

EPO: Performance-enhancing drug used in past cycling scandals. Nowadays, cyclists prefer their "boost" to come from coffee and cake.

F

False Flat: A road that looks flat but is actually slightly uphill, causing you to wonder why you’re working so hard. Blame physics.

Feed Zone: An area on the course where riders are handed food and drinks. It’s a bit like a drive-thru, but with fewer burgers and more energy gels.

Flamme Rouge: The red flag indicating 1 km to the finish line. If you’ve made it here, it’s all or nothing—sprint, or be sprinted on.

Freds: Amateur cyclists who don’t quite have the hang of the sport yet. Typically decked out in brand-new kit, fresh from the store—just like their enthusiasm.

Full Gas: Riding at maximum effort, typically resulting in some creative breathing techniques and that ‘thousand-yard stare.’

G

Gap: The distance between you and the rider in front. If the gap is growing, so is your regret for that missed interval session.

General-Purpose Cycling Jacket: Difficult to find a general purpose cycling jacket but when you do it's for when you don’t know what the weather’s doing but you’re riding anyway. Wind, rain, chilly mornings? This jacket handles it all with ease, so you can focus on the ride, not the forecast.

Gilet: A cycling gilet or vest is half the jacket, but all the warmth. A gilet gives your core the protection it needs while leaving your arms free to do the important work of pointing out potholes and waving at fellow riders. Plus, it folds down smaller than your excuses for not riding in the cold.

Granny Gear: The lowest gear on a bike, reserved for those hills that make you question all your life choices.

Gravel Grinding: Riding on unpaved roads for a challenge. Often involves more mud on your bike (and face) than any sane person would choose.

H

Hairpin: A sharp, 180-degree turn on a descent. Known for separating the confident from the overconfident.

Hammer Time: When the pace increases to near-maniacal levels. Usually led by that one rider who apparently has no concept of “recovery.”

Handups: When spectators hand riders snacks or drinks during a race. Can range from water bottles to doughnuts, depending on the event (or crowd).

Headwind: The bane of every cyclist’s existence. No matter which way you're riding, it somehow always feels like it's coming right at you.

Hit the Wall: To run out of energy entirely. Your legs suddenly weigh a ton, and everything feels uphill from here—even the flat bits.

Hanging on: Desperately trying to stay with a faster group. Think of it as socializing with your fitter friends, just without the talking.

I

In the Red: Riding at a level beyond your sustainable threshold. If you’re “in the red,” you’re about to blow up—or are currently doing so.

J

Jersey: A cycling jersey is the go-to top for any cyclist, designed to wick sweat, keep you cool, and help you look like you know what you’re doing. Pockets on the back for snacks, a zip-up front for style points, and tight enough to make you faster—or at least feel like it.

Jump: A sudden burst of acceleration in a sprint. It's the last 10 seconds of the race, where glory awaits or your legs give out.

K

Kick: That sudden increase in speed near the end of a sprint. If you've still got one left, you’re doing it right. If not, welcome to the back of the pack.

L

Lanterne Rouge: The last rider in the Tour de France, affectionately named after the red lantern used at the back of trains. Takes the “slow and steady” motto to a new level.

Lactic Acid: The substance your muscles produce during hard efforts, making you feel like you're pedaling through treacle. The bane of every cyclist's existence.

M

Mechanical: Any issue with your bike during a ride. Often happens at the most inconvenient time—like on a hill or mid-race.

MAMIL: Middle-Aged Man in Lycra. Often spotted on expensive bikes, riding like they’ve just won the lottery—and maybe they have.

N

Neutral Zone: The start of a race where no attacks are allowed. The calm before the storm, where everyone pretends to be friends.

O

Off the Back: Getting dropped by the group, typically followed by a long, lonely ride in "contemplation mode."

P

Panniers: Bags that attach to your bike rack, often used by touring cyclists. A great way to carry gear and/or your growing collection of energy bars.

Pace Line: A line of riders taking turns at the front to maintain speed. A lovely concept—until it's your turn at the front and suddenly you regret everything.

Parcours: The course or terrain of a race. Can range from flat and fast to "I hope my will is up to date."

Pedal Stroke: The motion of turning the pedals. Something you do thousands of times per ride, yet somehow never get tired of complaining about.

Peloton: The main group of riders in a race. If you're in the peloton, you're either winning or getting a good chat in.

Pinch Flat: A flat tire caused by the inner tube being pinched between the tire and rim. Known to bring out the finest in roadside swearing.

Pinning It: Going all out, typically in a race. It’s all speed, no brakes—until you hit a corner and remember you’re human.

Post-Up: The celebratory gesture when crossing the finish line first, often with both arms in the air. The moment of glory—unless you’ve misjudged the finish line.

Pot Hole: A cyclist’s natural predator. Known for appearing out of nowhere, causing flats, and ruining perfectly good moods.

Power Meter: A device that measures how hard you’re pushing. It’s the cold, hard truth on your bike, telling you that maybe you didn’t go “full gas” after all.

Prologue: A short time trial at the start of a stage race. A chance to shine for about 10 minutes before the real suffering begins.

Puncher: A rider known for explosive attacks, especially on short, steep climbs. Like a sprinter, but with more pain tolerance and fewer flat courses.

Q

Quads: The muscles in the front of your thighs, often described as the engine of your bike. After a big climb, they may also be described as "on fire."

R

Red Line: The maximum effort you can sustain before blowing up. If you're seeing red, you're probably about to explode (not literally, we hope).

Road Rash: Scrapes and bruises from a crash on the tarmac. The cyclist’s equivalent of a badge of honour—or a reason to buy new kit.

Rouleur: A rider who excels on rolling terrain. They don’t mind a climb, but they’d much rather keep things undulating.

S

Saddle Sores: Painful spots where the sun doesn’t shine after long rides. Proof you’ve cycled enough to complain, but not enough to quit.

SAG Wagon: Support and Gear vehicle. The mobile safety net for cyclists who've had enough or whose bikes have had enough of them.

Schlecking: Dropping your chain at a crucial moment, named after Andy Schleck’s infamous mechanical during the 2010 Tour de France. A frustratingly timed disaster.

Singletrack: A narrow off-road path typically used for mountain biking. Often leads to either thrilling rides or close encounters with trees.

Slipstream: The area of reduced wind resistance behind another rider. Like a cyclist’s version of being towed, but without the hitch.

Socks: Ah, cycling socks—a surprisingly controversial piece of kit. According to the Velominati, sock length is a matter of sacred law (Rule #27). Not too short to be mistaken for an amateur, not too long to look like a pro wrestler. The sweet spot? Just long enough to make your calves look strong, but your style stronger.

Soft Pedal: To ride at an easy pace, usually because you're recovering... or just pretending to wait for your slower mates.

Soft Shell Jacket: A soft shell jacket is the versatile all-rounder in your cycling wardrobe. This jacket laughs in the face of wind, sneers at light rain, and keeps you warm without turning you into a sweaty mess. Perfect for those “is it winter or just really angry autumn?” rides.

Spinners: Riders who prefer to pedal at a high cadence. The cycling equivalent of being a fast talker—efficient, but exhausting to watch.

Sprocket: A wheel with teeth that engages with the chain. Or, as some cyclists call it, "that round thing that helps you go faster."

Sticky Bottle: When a rider holds onto a bottle handed by the team car just a little too long, gaining an extra boost. Not exactly within the rules, but hey, a boost is a boost.

Stoker: The rear rider on a tandem bike. They provide the power while also trusting the captain upfront to not crash. It’s the ultimate trust exercise.

Sufferfest: A ride or race that pushes riders to their physical and mental limits. The name says it all, really.

T

Tuck: The aerodynamic position adopted on a descent to reduce drag. Basically, crouching down and hoping for the best.

Turbo Trainer: A device to turn your bike into a stationary trainer. Useful for rainy days, but expect sweat puddles resembling small ponds.

U

Undergeared: Riding with a gear that's too easy for the terrain. Not to be confused with "over it"—though that sometimes happens, too.

V

Velodrome: A banked, oval cycling track where speed is the name of the game. Think NASCAR, but with more Lycra and less noise.

Velominati: The self-appointed keepers of cycling’s unwritten rules. Their list of "rules" includes gems like “Rule #5: Harden the **** up.”

W

Wattage Bazooka: A humorous term for putting out a massive amount of power in a short burst. Often ends with burning legs and a bit of regret.

Wheelsucker: A rider who consistently drafts but never takes a turn at the front. In group rides, also known as "that guy."

Wheelie: Lifting the front wheel off the ground while riding. Perfect for showing off, though occasionally resulting in an impromptu visit to the tarmac.

Wind Jacket: A wind jacket is for those days when the weather can’t quite make up its mind. A wind jacket keeps the breeze at bay without turning you into a sweaty puddle. Compact enough to stuff in a pocket when the sun decides to show up—eventually.

Windbreaker: A windbreaker for cycling is a lightweight jacket designed to keep the wind at bay, ideal for those moments when a gentle breeze turns into a gale-force assault on your ride. Easily packable, because who needs the weight of bad weather slowing you down?

Winter Miles, Summer Smiles: The idea that putting in tough miles during winter will make you faster (and happier) come summer. Assuming you survive the cold.

Y

Yellow Jersey: The prestigious leader's jersey in the Tour de France. Also the perfect accessory to make your mates jealous.

YOLO Attack: A last-ditch, all-out effort to break away from the group with little regard for the consequences. Usually ends in pain, but occasionally, glory.