Decode cycling’s secret language with this A–Z glossary bonk, draft, crit, granny gear, and more. Plain-English definitions, plus the science and slang that make bike talk its own dialect.
Ever listened to cyclists talk and felt like you accidentally tuned into a secret radio frequency? Words like bonk, draft, crit, or granny gear fly around, and somehow everyone else nods along like it’s perfectly normal.
Cycling has its own dialect. Part science, part slang, part poetry born from sweat and asphalt.
This A–Z guide translates that lingo to plain english.
Athena
A term from triathlon describing a female athlete typically over 150 lbs or taller than average. It’s not an insult, it celebrates strength and power.
Attack
A sudden surge in speed meant to drop other riders. Think of it as a tactical explosion: short, sharp, and often decisive.
Beach Cruiser
A relaxed, comfort-first bike designed for easy rides. Upright position, minimal effort, maximum vibes.
Bibs
Cycling shorts with shoulder straps. They stay in place better than regular shorts and are a favorite for long rides.
Bonk
The dreaded energy crash. When your body runs out of fuel, your legs turn into decorative objects. Usually caused by poor nutrition mid-ride.
Braze-On
Small mounts attached to a bike frame, used for things like bottle cages or derailleurs.
Cadence
How fast you pedal, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Efficient riders often aim for a smooth, consistent rhythm.
Century
A 100-mile ride. Equal parts endurance test and bragging rights.
Chafing
Skin irritation caused by friction. Annoying at best, brutal at worst.
Chain Suck
When your chain gets stuck and jams near the crank. Mechanical chaos in miniature.
Chamois
The padded insert in cycling shorts. Your best defense against discomfort.
Pro tip: no underwear underneath. Ever.
Chasers
Riders trying to catch the leader or breakaway group.
Clipless Pedals
Despite the name, these clip you in. Special shoes attach to the pedals for better power transfer.
Clydesdale
The male counterpart to Athena—typically heavier or taller riders, celebrated for strength.
Credit Card Touring
Long-distance cycling with hotel stops instead of camping. Adventure with soft landings.
Criterium (Crit)
Short, fast races on closed circuits. Tight corners, high speeds, constant intensity.
Cross Chaining
Using extreme gear combinations that strain your drivetrain. Your bike will complain loudly.
Cyclocross
Off-road racing with obstacles, mud, and occasional bike-carrying. Half cycling, half obstacle course.
Cyclometer
A bike computer that tracks distance, speed, and sometimes GPS and elevation.
Domestique
A support rider in professional cycling. They sacrifice their own chances to help a team leader win.
Drafting
Riding behind someone to reduce wind resistance. Saves energy—sometimes up to 30%.
Drop Bars
Curved handlebars that allow multiple hand positions and more aerodynamic riding.
Echelon
A diagonal riding formation used in crosswinds to share shelter from the wind.
Étape
A stage in a multi-day race.
Feed Zone
A designated area where riders grab food and water during races.
Fixie
A fixed-gear bike with no freewheel. If the wheels move, your legs must too.
FKT (Fastest Known Time)
The fastest recorded time on a specific route.
Full Tuck
An ultra-aerodynamic downhill position used to maximize speed.
Gear Ratio
The relationship between front and rear gears. It determines how hard or easy pedaling feels.
Ghost Bike
A white-painted bike placed where a cyclist was killed. A quiet, powerful memorial.
Granny Gear
The easiest gear combination. Your best friend on steep climbs.
Hammer
To ride hard. No subtlety, just effort.
Hour Record
The maximum distance covered in one hour on a track. A pure test of endurance and efficiency.
Kit
Everything you wear while riding: jersey, shorts, helmet, gloves. For many cyclists, this is practically a personality.
LBS (Local Bike Shop)
Your go-to place for gear, repairs, and occasional existential conversations about tires.
LSD (Long Steady Distance)
A training ride focused on endurance at a consistent, moderate pace.
Musette
A small bag of food handed to riders in races.
No Drop Ride
A group ride where no one gets left behind. The opposite of survival-of-the-fittest.
Organ Donor
A rider who doesn’t wear a helmet. Dark humor, serious message.
Pacing
Maintaining a steady effort to conserve energy for later.
Pathlete
A rider who treats shared paths like race tracks. Not admired.
Peloton
The main group of riders in a race. A moving ecosystem of strategy and energy-saving.
Pull
Taking the front position in a group and breaking the wind for others.
Queen Stage
The hardest stage in a race, usually with the most climbing.
Recumbent
A bike where the rider leans back and pedals forward. Looks unusual, feels surprisingly efficient.
Roadie
A dedicated road cyclist.
Road Rash
Skin injuries from sliding across pavement. As unpleasant as it sounds.
RPM
Revolutions per minute. Another way to describe cadence.
Saddle Sores
Painful irritation from long hours on the bike.
Saddle Time
Time spent riding. The currency of improvement.
Sag Wagon
A support vehicle that picks up riders who can’t finish.
Swag
Free gear or goodies from events.
Singlespeed
A bike with one gear. Simple, demanding, oddly addictive.
Slingshot
Using another rider’s draft to accelerate past them.
Slipstream
The pocket of reduced air resistance behind a rider.
Spinning
Pedaling quickly in an easy gear. Efficient and smooth.
Sprint
A burst of maximum speed.
Squirrel
An unpredictable rider who can’t hold a straight line. Approach with caution.
Steed
Your bike. Your loyal machine.
Tandem
A bike built for two riders. Coordination required, arguments optional.
Time Trial (TT)
A race against the clock.
Velodrome
A banked track for high-speed cycling races.
Watt
A measure of power output. More watts, more speed.
Wheelsucker
Someone who drafts but never takes a turn at the front. Socially frowned upon.
The Zone
That rare, almost mythical state where everything clicks. Effort feels effortless, time disappears, and it’s just you, the bike, and the road.
Perfect for the new riders!
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