Sometimes mountain bikers sound like they are
speaking another language. Here's a few of
our favorite biking slang:
bonk: to run out of energy or grow exhausted
on a ride. "I bonked so early it was embarrassing."
clipless: misleading name for a pedal-and-shoe
system where the clips or cleats clip onto the soles of
special shoes. Called "clipless" because you can't
see the clips when you're clipped in. Contrast with toe
clips.
dialed in: when a bike is set up nicely
and everything works just right.
granny gear: the lowest gear available
on a bike, which only a grandmother would need to use; designed
for steep uphill climbing, but extremely easy to pedal in
on flat ground.
LBS: acronym for "Local Bike Shop".
MTB: the activity of MounTain Biking.
Or a mountain bike itself. v. "MTBing".
singletrack: trail just wide enough for
one person or bike -- the MTBer's holy grail. Contrast with
dual-track.
taco: to bend a wheel over on itself,
in the shape of a taco. "I taco'd my wheel, and it
cost me a hundred bucks." Worse than a potato chip.
technical: a section of trail that is
difficult to ride because of rocks, tree roots, steep drops.
washboard: small undulations of the soil
surface that make for a very rough ride.
The Zone: a state of mind experienced
while riding. You don't think, you just do. A truly mystical
experience that can't be fully explained, but when you get
there you'll know it and strive to reach it again.
Lots
more terms! |