23 Words That Mean Something Completely Different to Cyclists - Mpora

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23 Words That Mean Something Completely Different to Cyclists

"Don't mind him, he just had a bad bonk"

 

Have you ever overheard a group of cyclists chatting away, only to realise that you can’t understand a single thing they’re saying?

Every sport has it’s own lingo and when it comes to cycling, many words are not what they may first seem to the outside world….

Here’s a handy guide to cycling slang, so you’re fully prepared for the next time you meet up with your cycle mad mates.

 

Cassette

What it means to the general public: Old school device, used for storing and playing your crazy tunes and making soppy mixtapes for bae

What it means to a cyclist: The cluster of sprockets on your bike, found on the rear hub

Century

What it means to the general public: One hundred years

What it means on the mountain: A ride of 100 miles (160.9 km) or more within 12 hours

Bonk

What it means to the general public: A phrase used by a creepy uncle or a character in a ‘Carry On…‘ film to describe a bit of ‘ows your father.

What it means to a cyclist: When you use all your glycogen stores in the liver and muscles and feel a sudden tiredness. The cyclist’s version of hitting the wall.

Lube

What it means to the general public: A water-based liquid or jelly used, for many things, tbh.

What it means to a cyclist: Well, yes, basically the same. Cycling lube is specific however for keeping your chain moving.

Clincher

What it means to the general public: A fact that settles a matter conclusively.

What it means to a cyclist: A tire which has a steel wire or Kevlar fiber bead that interlocks with flanges in the rim…. yup.

Vultures

What it means to the general public: Big, creepy birds with scary faces

What it means to a cyclist: Spectators that position themselves at places where crashes are most likely to happen.

Bacon

What it means to the general public: A delicious pork based meat

What it means to a cyclist: Those specific grazes you see down cyclist’s legs, caused by scraping against the tarmac.

LSD

What it means to the general public: A psychedelic drug, regularly taken by lovers of 1970s rock.

What it means to a cyclist: Long Slow Distance rides…..way less fun.

Chaser

What it means to the general public: A follow up drink to a shot of something alcoholic

What it means to a cyclist: A cyclist that is trying to catch a breakaway group ahead in a race.

Wipe Out

What it means to the general public: A annoyingly catchy song by The Surfaris

What it means to a cyclist: To crash your bike dramatically

Fred

What it means to the general public: A boring name for a man.

What it means to a cyclist: A name used for amateur, less experienced cyclists. For female use, see ‘Doris’

Diesel

What it means to the general public: A type of fuel used to power vehicles

What it means to a cyclist: A cyclist with an impressively consistent and powerful energy release

Biff

What it means to the general public: A character in the Back To The Future trilogy series.

What it means to a cyclist: Just another name for a crash….

Roadie

What it means to the general public: Middle aged rockers, in charge of band’s equipment on tour

What it means to a cyclist: A super devoted road cyclist, these guys love it.

Spinner

What it means to the general public: A small children’s toy (or the reason why Inception fans can’t agree on whether Leo was AWAKE OR NOT)

What it means to a cyclist: Cyclists who pedal at a fast cadence in smaller gears, relying on pedal RPM for speed. Legs will usually look like a roadrunner-esque blur.

Clip Ins

 

What it means to the general public: Fake, temporary hair extensions that make her hair look thicker and longer

What it means to a cyclist: Special shoes that fasten to your peddles to help with power and climbing

Shifting

What it means to the general public: Changing your opinion or general outlook on something

What it means to a cyclist: Moving between gears in the most efficient way possible for speed and ease

Kick

What it means to the general public: To hit something with your leg

What it means to a cyclist: The last-ditch effort to pass racers ahead, that final push.

Endo

What it means to the general public: A 90s nu-metal band from Florida.

What it means to a cyclist: Lifting your back wheel off the ground, while the front stays on the ground. Not easy.

Chamois

What it means to the general public: A goat-antelope genus native to mountains in Europe

What it means to a cyclist: Padded cycling shorts that look ridiculous, but save you against the dreaded cyclist saddle sores

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