Technique, Training and Racing

S

saddle sores - skin injuries that develop from chafing caused by pedaling action. Sores can range from tender raw spots to boil-like lesions if infection occurs.

sag wagon - a motor vehicle that follows a group of riders, carrying equipment and lending assistance in the event of difficulty. Also called the broom wagon.

set - in interval or weight training, a specific number of repetitions.

singletrack - a path so narrow that two cyclists can't ride side by side.

sit on a wheel - to ride in someone's draft.

slingshot - to sprint past another rider after catching up in the draft.

slipstream - the pocket of calmer air behind a moving rider. Also called the draft.

snap - the ability to accelerate quickly.

soft-pedal - to rotate the crank without actually applying power.

specificity - the law of athletic training.

speed work - fast training using intervals, sprints, time trials and motorpacing.

spin - to pedal at high cadence.

spinner - a rider who pedals in a moderate gear at a relatively fast cadence, relying on pedal rpm for speed.

sport - the basic mountain bike racing category.

stage race - a multi-day event consisting of point-to-point and circuit road races, time trials and, sometimes, criteriums. The winner is the rider with the lowest elapsed time for all stages.

suppleness - a quality of highly conditioned leg muscles that allows a rider to pedal at high cadence with smoothness and power. Also known by the French term, souplesse.

T

team time trial (TTT) - a race against the clock with two or more riders working together.

tempo - fast riding at a brisk cadence.

throw the bike - a racing technique in which a rider pushes the bike ahead of his or her body at the finish line, gaining several inches in hopes of winning a close sprint.

time trial (TT) - a race against the clock in which individual riders start at set intervals and cannot give or receive a draft.

track - a velodrome. Also, the word to yell on singletrack when a slower rider is blocking your progress and you want to pass.

training effect - the result of exercise done with an intensity and duration sufficient to bring about positive physiological changes.

trials - a slow-speed off-road event in which you ride through an obstacle course, trying not to dab.

turnaround - the point where the riders reverse direction on an out-and-back time trial course.

V

velodrome - a banked track for bicycle racing.