Share

Road Cycling

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

Share

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production