Swim Bike Run

Here is the final installation of our glossary of triathlon cycling terms and definitions.

Team Pursuit - This is a type of race that is similar in nature to the individual pursuit style of racing, however instead there are two different teams, each of which is made up of four riders. These teams will ride in pace lines, with the leader changing either every half lap or with every lap. The standard distance for this type of race is a distance of 4000 meters. The time for the team is taken upon the third rider crossing over the finish line, meaning that the fourth rider on the team does not have to finish the race.

Technical – This describes a portion of a racing trail that is designed to test the handling skills for the rider.

Time Trial – This is a race that involves riders or teams of riders going around the course or the track individually. The team or the rider that has the fastest time is deemed the winner of the competition.

Toe Clips – These are either straps or clips that are designed to securely fasten the feet of the rider to the pedals of the bicycle.

Track Bike - This is a very simple style of bike that is used for the purpose of racing on a track. This type of bike only has a single speed gear without any freewheeling, and it does not have any brakes.

Track Stand - This term describes the act of balancing the bicycle while the feet are on the pedals. During a match sprint style of racing, the riders typically begin in track stand because they want to allow one another to set the pace for the race so that they can take full advantage of the slip stream for the purpose of drafting.

Velodrome – This is a type of track that is specifically built for the purpose of bicycle racing. It is typically comprised of two long straight areas and two short curved areas that bank sharply. Most of these types of tracks are only 1/3 of a kilometer in length, though some can be as short as only 200 meters, or as long as a full 500 meters in length.

Weenie Gear - This is another word that is used to refer to granny gear. Granny gear is described as being the lowest of all gears on the mountain bike, and this particular gear is typically used when you need to climb a very steep grade while riding your bike.

Wind Out - This is a type of sprint that develops relatively slowly, and involves a gradual level of acceleration to the top speed.

Photo Credits: Nelson D.

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• What to Pack in Your Bag for a Triathlon You have probably spent months if not years preparing for the upcoming triathlon race, so in all honestly, the last thing that you need right now is to have your mind wandering to things that you may have forgot. Why worry about whether or not you forgot something, when putting......
• Attain Victory with the Right Triathlon Gear pt 2 ... Continued from Attain Victory with the Right Triathlon Gear pt 1: The seat tubes have steeper angles and they allow for more of the leg muscles to be contributing to the pedaling force. Since more body muscles are being engaged, there is less strain being placed on each individual......
• Strength Training for Triathlons Strength training is a vitally important part of your training program when you are a triathlete. Maximizing the quality level of your workout is going to need to be a prime objective if you want to develop a strength training program that is going to help you improve your performance.......
• Choosing the Right Triathlon Bike The biggest step in figuring out what type of bike you should ride in for your triathlon is to determine what kind of money you have in your budget for the right bike. This is going to be absolutely the biggest factor in helping you to determine which bike is......

Pinch Flat - This is a flat tire that is caused as a result of hitting an obstacle with a lot of force to the point where the inner tube has been pinched in the rim.

Pixie Gear – This is another term that refers to granny gear.

Points Race - This is similar in nature to a scratch race, but rather the points are awarded to the winning riders within a series of sprints that are conducted throughout various points of the race, and the winning rider is the one that accumulates the greatest amount of points.

Pole Line – This is a yellow line that goes around the inner side of a velodrome track, measuring the length of the track.

Pull - This involves taking a turn in the front of a pace line, pulling the rest of the riders along.

Push Climb – This is a portion of a riding trail where the riders have to dismount from their bicycles and either carry or push their bikes because of either poor traction or a steep grade.

Rainbow Jersey – This is a striped jersey with multiple colors that is typically worn by a defending world champion in a race.

Repechage - This is a second chance that is given to a loser from a previous heat in many match-spring types of competitions. The winner from a repechage will continue on within the competition.

Road Rash - This is a skin abrasion that is caused as a result of a fall.

Scratch Race – This is any race that involves all riders covering the same distance from a simultaneous start. The winner in a scratch race is whatever rider is the first one to cross over the finish line. Virtually all cycling races are actually scratch races.

Single Track – This is a section of a trail that is wide enough that only one cyclist can pass over it at a time.

Sit In - What this means is to get close to the behind of a rider that is immediately in front of you for the purpose of drafting.

Slip Stream – This is the area behind a rider where there is a lowered amount of wind resistance.

Snake Bite - This is another name for a pinch flat.

Spin - This is a word that describes pedaling at a cadence that is very high.

Suspension - This is a system that is designed to absorb the shock on mountain bikes as well as some types of road bikes.

Take a Flyer – This is another way to refer to flyer.

Tandem Sprint – This is similar in nature to a match sprint, however it is ridden with two-man tandem style bicycles crossing over a course that is 1500 meters long.

Photo Credits: jimmyharris

• Planning and Preparing for your Swimming Triathlon Make sure that you plan long ahead of time by making a list of the materials that you are going to need in order to participate in the swimming portion of your triathlon. Here is a list of basic supplies that you are going to need for your training regimen......
• Attain Victory with the Right Triathlon Gear pt 2 ... Continued from Attain Victory with the Right Triathlon Gear pt 1: The seat tubes have steeper angles and they allow for more of the leg muscles to be contributing to the pedaling force. Since more body muscles are being engaged, there is less strain being placed on each individual......
• Choosing the Right Triathlon Bike The biggest step in figuring out what type of bike you should ride in for your triathlon is to determine what kind of money you have in your budget for the right bike. This is going to be absolutely the biggest factor in helping you to determine which bike is......
• Triathlon Packing Checklist Are you a new triathlete or someone that has been around the track a few times? Whether you are brand new or have been doing this for a while, you should have an appreciation for how nice it is to have all of your gear packed up and ready to......
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