Attack: A sudden acceleration to elude another rider or group of riders.
Blocking: When one rider, or a group of riders, disrupts a chase by slowing down a paceline.
Bonk: Total exhaustion caused by lack of sufficient food during a long race or ride.
Bonus Sprints: Points along the route where a time bonus and/or points are given to the first three riders that cross the line. These sprints are a “race within a race” during each stage.
Break, Breakaway: A rider or group of riders that leaves the main group behind.
Bridge: To leave one group of riders and join another group that is farther ahead.
Chasers: Riders who are trying to catch a breakaway group.
Criterium: A multi-lap, one-day race on a closed, short course, typically one mile or less.
Domestique: A team rider who will sacrifice his individual performance to help a designated teammate. Duties can include giving up one's bike for another rider, supplying refreshments to teammates, and catching breakaway riders. French for “servant.”
Drafting: Riding closely behind another rider to save energy by using that racer as a windbreak.
Echelon - A staggered, long line of riders, each downwind of the rider ahead, allowing them to move considerably faster than a solo rider or small group of riders. In windy sections where there are crosswinds, a large peloton will form into echelons.
Field sprint: A sprint at the finish among the main group of riders.
Flyer: A surprise attack, usually done alone.
Gap: The distance (usually measured in time) between individuals or groups. Gaps are "opened" and "closed."
General Classification (G.C.): The overall leader board in the race, representing each rider’s total cumulative time in the race. The rider with the lowest time is number one on the G.C.
Hammer: Riding hard, going all out.
Jump: A quick acceleration usually developing into a sprint.
Lead-out: An intentional sacrificing tactic whereby one rider races at high speed to give a head start to the rider on his wheel. That rider comes around the leader at an even faster speed for a finishing sprint.
Mechanical: Slang for a mechanical problem with the bicycle. “He had a mechanical.”
Off the Back - When a rider or riders cannot keep pace with the main group and lag behind.
Off the Front - When a rider takes part in a breakaway.
Paceline: A line of riders that moves at high speed with each individual taking turns setting the pace and riding in the draft of the others.
Peloton: The main field, or pack, of riders in the race. Peloton is French for a group moving forward.
Prime: (pronounced "preem") A prize given to a rider who wins a sprint during a race. This is not the finish. The race continues after the prime sprint.
Pull: To take a turn at the front of the group, maintaining the same speed of the group.
Sitting in: Drafting, or sitting closely behind the rider immediately in front.
Slipstream: The area of least wind resistance behind a rider.
Stage Race: A bike race held over successive days, with a different course each day. Stage races can last anywhere from three to 25 days. The rider with the lowest total time (or accumulated points) after completion of all the stages wins the overall race.
Tempo riding: A rider or riders sharing work at the front to maintain a higher speed.
Time Trial: A race in which riders start individually and race against the clock. The fastest over a set distance is the winner. Riders can pass each other on the course but they are not allowed to draft off of each other. Also known as the “race of truth.”
Wheel Sucker: A rider who refuses to take a turn at the front of the group.