Technique, Training and Racing

M

mass start - events such as road races, criteriums and cross-country races in which all contestants leave the starting line at the same time.

maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) - the maximum amount of oxygen a person can consume in one minute. It is basically determined by heredity and indicates a person's potential in endurance sports.

metric century - a 100-kilometer ride (62 miles)

minuteman - in a time trial, the rider who is one place in front of you in the starting order. So called because in most TTs riders start on one-minute intervals.

motorpace - riding behind a motorcycle or other vehicle that breaks the wind.

O

off-camber turn - the surface slopes away from the curve, making it difficult and dangerous to go through with speed.

off the back (OTB) - describes a situation where riders have failed to keep pace with the main group, we've all been there!

orthotics - custom-made supports worn in shoes to help neutralise biomechanical imbalances in the feet or legs.

overgear - using a gear that is too big for the terrain or level of fitness.

overtraining - deep-seated fatigue, both physical and mental, caused by training at a volume higher than that to which the body can adapt.

oxygen debt - the amount of oxygen that needs to be consumed to pay back the deficit incurred by anaerobic work.

P

paceline - a group formation in which each rider takes a turn breaking the wind at the front before pulling off, dropping to the rear position, and riding the others' draft until at the front again.

peak - a relatively short period during which maximum performance is achieved.
peloton - the main group of riders in a race.

prime - a special award given to the leader on selected laps during a criterium or track race, or the first rider to reach a certain landmark in a road race. It's used to heighten the action. Pronounced "preem."

pull, pull through - take a turn at the front.

pull off - to move to the side after riding in the lead so that another rider can come to the front.

Q

quadriceps - the large muscle in front of the thigh, the strength of which helps determine a cyclist's ability to pedal with power.

R

repetition - each hard effort in an interval workout. Also, one complete movement in a weight-training exercise.

road race - a mass-start race that goes from point to point, covers one large loop or is held on a circuit longer than those used for criteriums.

road rash - any skin abrasion resulting from a fall.

rollers - an indoor training device that works like a treadmill for bikes.