Favorite bike slang
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Favorite bike slang
I’ve seen a few requests for explanations of the slang tossed around here. I got on the search engine and noted that it has been years since BF has had a thread on it. So if I might:
41 an archaic but occasionally used term referring to a forum in which arguments about chain lube, bike saddles and whether to wave at cyclists who wave at you can rage for hundreds of posts.
shelled/fired out the back/dropped running out of steam in a group ride and watching the other riders vanish over the horizon.
droped the hamer, busted guads, dailed up to 400W, giving the look a millenial with poor English skills (might have been his second language) bragged about his street racing prowess. It is likely that his victim had no idea he was supposed to be in a race.
Tombay an honorary title given to Over 50 cyclists when they forget to unclip at a stop, at which time they go into a horizontal track stand. Almost always happens in front of beautiful women 20-30 years younger. Derived from tomber, French for to fall.
Cat 6 racing informal street racing, usually between Freds and Poseurs. It is not necessary for both participants to even know they are supposed to be racing as long as they look like they need to be taught a lesson.
death cookies smallish rocks on a trail that divert a mountain bike wheel away from the course intended by the rider.
HTFU originated in Australia by Chopper Jones, it is a friendly exhortation to toughen up a bit and stop complaining.
bonk a moment in the life of a cyclist when every bit of glycogen and readily accessible fatty acids have been expended. All nonvital systems such as gut and legs shut down, and vital functions such as brain and lungs go into minimal activity. This almost always happens at least 20 miles away from home or car. Road kill begins to appear edible. It is rumored that other cyclists have been cannabalized on very long rides when bonks occur.
bent legs converting one’s legs to better ride recumbents, which require less core strength but more gluteal recruitment. Usually takes a few hundred miles to acquire.
This is for starters. I’ll add to it from time to time. Please feel free to contribute.
41 an archaic but occasionally used term referring to a forum in which arguments about chain lube, bike saddles and whether to wave at cyclists who wave at you can rage for hundreds of posts.
shelled/fired out the back/dropped running out of steam in a group ride and watching the other riders vanish over the horizon.
droped the hamer, busted guads, dailed up to 400W, giving the look a millenial with poor English skills (might have been his second language) bragged about his street racing prowess. It is likely that his victim had no idea he was supposed to be in a race.
Tombay an honorary title given to Over 50 cyclists when they forget to unclip at a stop, at which time they go into a horizontal track stand. Almost always happens in front of beautiful women 20-30 years younger. Derived from tomber, French for to fall.
Cat 6 racing informal street racing, usually between Freds and Poseurs. It is not necessary for both participants to even know they are supposed to be racing as long as they look like they need to be taught a lesson.
death cookies smallish rocks on a trail that divert a mountain bike wheel away from the course intended by the rider.
HTFU originated in Australia by Chopper Jones, it is a friendly exhortation to toughen up a bit and stop complaining.
bonk a moment in the life of a cyclist when every bit of glycogen and readily accessible fatty acids have been expended. All nonvital systems such as gut and legs shut down, and vital functions such as brain and lungs go into minimal activity. This almost always happens at least 20 miles away from home or car. Road kill begins to appear edible. It is rumored that other cyclists have been cannabalized on very long rides when bonks occur.
bent legs converting one’s legs to better ride recumbents, which require less core strength but more gluteal recruitment. Usually takes a few hundred miles to acquire.
This is for starters. I’ll add to it from time to time. Please feel free to contribute.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
YMMV your mileage may vary, so tricks used by one cyclist might not work for you. In fact, no improvement in cycling equipment has never helped me because it’s the motor that counts.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#3
Senior Member
Shut up legs!
-Jens Voigt
"Hit the wall" is also a favorite.
.
-Jens Voigt
"Hit the wall" is also a favorite.
.
Last edited by drlogik; 07-22-18 at 09:00 PM.
#4
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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There I was, just riding along minding my own business...Intro to a story in which the teller could not possibly have been at fault, even indirectly, tangentially or at several removes.
#7
Bad example
#8
Me duelen las nalgas
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I actually hollered "COME ON, LEGS!" during a climb on a group ride the other day. The other folks laughed. But at the moment I wasn't trying to be funny. I'd blown my legs on an informal time trial course just before then and forgot about the climb on the return ride home. But as soon as I yelled it I started laughing because it combined the perfect mix of angry, whiny and panicky at the thought of losing momentum on a hill while clipped in.
#12
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OTB - Over the bars. When the forward speed of the cyclist exceeds the forward speed of the bike. Commonly the result of grabbing too much front brake in a panic, resulting in the front wheel locking up.
#13
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Drope the hamer.
Massive guads.
Massive guads.
#14
Super Modest
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A relative of JRA, often heard in bike shops. Really, I didn't do anything, I was just riding around.
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Keep the chain tight!
#15
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He's on the rivet. Working/sprinting hard and on the nose of the saddle where there's a rivet on leather saddles.
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Keep the chain tight!
#17
Senior Member
Hamster pants. Pathletes.
#18
Zip tie Karen
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Exploring the pain cave
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Good contributions, please provide definitions for the Nub McNubbins.
Occasionally seen:
SMH shakes my head, an expression of dismay.
kys not friendly at all, if someone sends you this he or she does not like you.
gutter bunny cycling commuter.
Occasionally seen:
SMH shakes my head, an expression of dismay.
kys not friendly at all, if someone sends you this he or she does not like you.
gutter bunny cycling commuter.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
half-wheeling rider in front's back wheel is roughly parallel to rider in back's front wheel. Dangerous to the guy in back and rude if the guy in front is doing it on a recreational or club ride. Don't ever be a half-wheeler.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#25
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Salmon(ing) - riding in the opposite direction of traffic or on the wrong side of the road. In reference to salmons (the fish) swimming against the current to get upstream to their spawning grounds.