Technique, Training and Racing

D

dab - to put a foot down to prevent toppling over.

domestique - a racer who's role is to sacrifice individual results to work for the team leader.

drafting - tucking in closely behind another rider so as to break the wind therefore saving you energy

dual slalom - similar to skiing, in which riders maneuver around gates on a short downhill course.

elite - top-of-the-line racers.

endo - to crash by going over the handlebar. Short for end-over-end. They hurt!
ergometer - a stationary, bike-like device with adjustable pedal resistance used in physiological testing or for indoor training.

expert - the category in mountain bike racing between sport and pro/elite.

F

fartlek - Swedish for "speed play." It's a training technique based on unstructured changes in pace and intensity. Is used instead of timed or measured intervals.

field sprint - the dash for the finish line by the main group of riders.

fire road - a road maintained chiefly for emergency vehicle access.

G

general classification (GC) - the overall standings in a stage race.

glucose - a sugar, the final energy-producing fuel of the cells.

glycogen - a sequence of glucose molecules that forms the principal carbohydrate storage material in the body.

H

hill climb - an event contested from bottom to top of a significant vertical challenge, on road or off. Fastest rider to the top wins.

honking - standing while climbing.

I

intervals - a structured method of training that alternates relatively short, hard efforts with recovery periods of much easier riding.