Cycling Glossary
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scratch race
Any race in which all riders cover the same distance from a mass start and the winner is the first rider across the finish line. Virtually all road races are scratch races.
single track
A section of trail that's wide enough for only one rider.
sit in
To get close behind the rider immediately in front in order to draft.
slipstream
The area of lowered wind resistance behind a rider.
snakebite
Same as pinch flat.
spin
To pedal at a very high cadence.
suspension
A system that absorbs shock on mountain bikes and some road bikes.
take a flyer
See flyer.
tandem sprint
The tandem sprint is like a match sprint, but it's ridden on two-man tandem bicycles over a 1,500-meter course.
team pursuit
This is similar to the individual pursuit race, except that there are two teams of four riders each. The teams ride in pace lines and the leader changes every half-lap or every lap. Standard distance is 4,000 meters. The team's time is taken when the third rider crosses the finish line, so the fourth rider doesn't have to finish.
technical
Descriptive of a portion of trail that tests a rider's handling skills.
time trial
A race in which riders or teams go around the track or course individually and the fastest time wins.
toe clips
Clips or straps that securely fasten the rider's feet to the bicycle's pedals.
track bike
A very simple bike used for track racing. It has a single-speed gear without freewheeling and there are no brakes.
track stand
The act of balancing the bicycle in place, with the feet on the pedals. In the match sprint, riders usually begin with a track stand, because each of them wants the other to set the pace in order to take advantage of the slipstream.
velodrome
A track built specifically for bicycle racing, made up of two long straights and two short, curved end sections that are sharply banked. Most velodromes are 1/3 of a kilometer around, though some are as short as 200 meters and others as long as 500 meters.
weenie gear
Same as granny gear.
wind-out
A sprint that develops slowly with gradual acceleration to top speed
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