General Cycling Discussion - Bring back the old biking slang!

Wheelmen and wheelwomen unite! Let's revive the old slang from the golden age of bicycling! Throw away the pedantic 'cyclist,' forget the corrupted 'biker' and be a wheelman or wheelwoman! (No one will know what you're talking about....but doesn't that actually add snob appeal? :D )

Apart from cyclists being called wheelmen, the only one I know off the top of my head is 'scorcher,' the name given to someone who rides as fast as possible, to the peril of any dogs, children, or little old ladies in the path.

Isn't 'scorcher' a good word? :) Can YOU say 'scorcher?' ( /Mr Rogers tribute)

I believe there was a specific term for doing what is now known as an endo, too, but I can't remember it.

Anyone else? :D

Originally posted by Inkwolf


I believe there was a specific term for doing what is now known as an endo, too, but I can't remember it.

Anyone else? :D

Header.

face plant

Great idea, Ink. You're the Bees Knees! :D

boneshaker - hard tail mtn bike

I've never know us to be called anything other than 'cyclists', so I don't know which of the 'old slang' I'd really choose. I did hear an argument on a mailing list once that we should be called "drivers" with the car people being called "riders" because we're the ones who actually put in the effort.

Personally, my choice would be to call us demi-gods. :)

Inkwolf, I do know that the result of an "endo" is "chinsurf"!! :D

I like that one.

How about borrowing slang from other places? We call our bike riding friends "homies" or borrow from surfing slang and say ,"squids."

Sometimes I jokingly do 'california mountain biker speak'...'awesome dudes, that's like HEINOUS.'

I think in french FACE PLANT is CASSE -GUEULE

Personally, my choice would be to call us demi-gods.
I heard reference to cyclists being referd to as pilots. Makes me want to ride around wearing goggles and a silk scarf!

Originally posted by Inkwolf
Apart from cyclists being called wheelmen, the only one I know off the top of my head is 'scorcher,' the name given to someone who rides as fast as possible, to the peril of any dogs, children, or little old ladies in the path.

Can YOU say 'scorcher?'
"Scorcher!"

In all wierdness, I must point out that while cyclists today are castigated for, "holding up traffic," and, "going too slow," in the Golden Days of bicycling, wheelmen (I don't know if there were "wheelwomen," but women who rode bikes were quite adventurous and were warned by medical authorities of the dangers cycling posed to their reproductive systems) were held in contempt for speeding.

When the motorcar began to make it's debut, fast cyclists were sometimes hired by police to catch speeding motorists.

Back in the 1950's, my dad used to refer to my bike as my "wheel." Maybe this is a thowback to the old unicycles?

Sk OR CH er:D

Originally posted by trmcgeehan
Back in the 1950's, my dad used to refer to my bike as my "wheel." Maybe this is a thowback to the old unicycles?

Not unicycles, that was another throwback to the old biking slang--good for your dad! :D A bike was casually referred to as a 'wheel.' (Maybe that tiny rear wheel was too small to be mentioned. ;) )

Here a link for some mountian bike slang. :D

http://world.std.com/~jimf/biking/slang.html

I'm jake with that!

Not really classic slang but in my college circle we used to call crashing and the resulting road rash "taking the whip."

I've heard the term "squid" applied to young motorcyclists riding more bike than they should be pretty frequently. Never heard it applied to "wheelmen" (is Wheelperson properly PC?) before but it could apply.

:beer:

Originally posted by wabbit
I like that one.

How about borrowing slang from other places? We call our bike riding friends "homies" or borrow from surfing slang and say ,"squids."

Sometimes I jokingly do 'california mountain biker speak'...'awesome dudes, that's like HEINOUS.'

I think in french FACE PLANT is CASSE -GUEULE

Funny thing is most people I ride with speak in snowboard terms. Gnarly, burly, heinous, that was dope, sweet ride, jib are very common.

And what is to "jib"??

I bought Drop-In and was watching it this weekend...GREAT stuff! The only thing I couldn't figure out was the use of the term "jib"...

In my neck-o-da-woods we use the term Oddie meaning O.D. or Organ Donor. Those who do not wear helmets.

Oh dear....i didn't just start a helmet war....did I?

Digger

jib anyone? define the verbage "jib" for me...

It seems that in England, an endo or header might also be known as a cropper or Imperial crowner. :)

Inkwolf, where did you hear that? I've always known an endo to be an endo.

When I was in England an endo was 'arse over tits'

Been reading books on bike history. The slang terms 'cropper' and 'imperial crowner' are mentioned in the book 'On Your Bicycle' by James McGurn, which focusses more on the English side of the cycling craze than the books I've read previously.

The terms are from the 1800's, which is probably why you haven't heard them. Unless you are VERY old. ;)

I like the new terms mixed with new school (fakie etc...) so you must really hate me ;)

Jib - street mixed with grinding and railing of 'stuff'. For example to grind a stair rail would be jibbing. To simply do the gap is still urban...Esentially what bmxers have been doing for year but mtbers wanting to make it sound different.
jib(2) - sexual inuendo (sp) for something dirty :D

I hate the term Jib and it is like freeride no one is sure where to apply it so I apply it as the snowboarders would. Snowboarding is where it came from BTW. :)

I wrote this for a tandem list back in 2001 in response to this question:

> I wonder if there is any universal agreement on a bike
> accessory or piece of apparel that says "fred."

Why limit yourself to picking on "Freds" when, in fact,
there are so many "groups" of cyclist stereotypes to
consider, each with their own little qwerks and views on
bicycle accoutrements.

With credit to Bicyclopedia, here are just a few
to consider (http://www.bicyclopedia.org):

The Bandit: Also called a pirate; poacher. A cyclist who
participates in a bicycle event but does not register or
pay.

The Bikie: Someone who has a love of bicycles, rides
them frequently, and has a good working knowledge of
their operation and repair.

The Class Rider: That quality in a rider consisting of
smooth pedal movement, good positioning on the bicycle, a
steady line, and accomplished bike handling skills.

The Club rider: A cyclist who has a great deal of
experience riding with an organized bicycle club.
Cyclists who ride with a group have to use safe riding
techniques and can readily learn them from more
experienced members. On the average, club riders
experience only one accident per each 10,000 miles
traveled. This is five times fewer than the general adult
population, and a vivid illustration of what care and
proper training can do to improve safety.

The Crack rider: Also called a crackerjack. A 19th
century and early 20th century term for an outstanding
bicycle rider.

The Cyclosportif: A cycling tourist who uses a racing
bicycle with tubular tires and whose prime purpose is to
go fast and far.

The Cyclotourist: A cycling tourist who is interested in
sightseeing, makes frequent stops at various sites and
usually has a fully loaded bicycle.

The Dirt bag: A controversial term for an ardent mountain
biker, who not only practices the sport, but lives the
life. This can be complimentary or insulting, depending
on your point of view. Some mountain bikers take pride in
calling themselves dirt bags. Some road riders use it as
an insult.

The Fitness rider: A cyclist who rides primarily for
exercise as opposed to one who is seeking to go faster,
improve handling, extend distance, commuting, etc.

The Fred: A sneering term used by racing cyclists to
denote a novice or someone who rides for pleasure rather
than competition. (Sometimes called a "Barney")

The Gutter Bunny: A rider who habitually rides right next
to the curb in the mistaken belief that it's safer.
Actually, it is generally safer three to four feet from
the curb since motor vehicles are more likely to see you,
you leave yourself emergency maneuvering room, and there
is less debris and fewer sewer covers to avoid.

The Hack rider: Also caller a hacker. A bicycle rider of
ordinary or modest skills.

The Hammerhead: A cyclist who typically rides hard and
fast.

The Organ donor: A helmetless rider.

The Randonneur: A cycling tourist who uses a touring or
sport touring bicycle, but cycles for the sake of
cycling, not racing or sightseeing.

The Roadie: Also called a road weenie in the disparaging
slang of mountain bikers. A rider who habitually uses or
prefers to use a road bicycle, and take part in road
events, riding, or training.

The Squirrel: A rider who is unstable or nervous. (Also know as a Cat VII among the racing crowd or, with regard to a boneheaded move in racing, a Cat VII maneuver).

The Tourist: A cyclist who practices touring, which is
non-competitive distance riding.

The Wheelsucker: Also called a parasite. Derogatory term
for someone who drafts behind others, but does not take
his turn at the front.

Remember, everyone who rides is a Fred to somebody else;
sometimes they just don't know it.

The Cyclosportif: A cycling tourist who uses a racing
bicycle with tubular tires and whose prime purpose is to
go fast and far. This would be me, except that I have clinchers!

I'd like to add Cranker, as a person who loves to go out to the front and pull the group. The anti-Parasite.

Originally posted by Walter
I've heard the term "squid" applied to young motorcyclists riding more bike than they should be pretty frequently. Never heard it applied to "wheelmen" (is Wheelperson properly PC?) before but it could apply.

Squids is the contration for "Squirely Kids".

As noted in at least one FAQ*, the term is applied to "the maniacs we see riding motorcycles in tank-tops, shorts, and flip flops ( or even decked out in full or partial riding gear ) generally revving their engines at stoplights and darting in and out of traffic like homicidal mutations of armadillo-possums. These are the people who frequently drive up our insurance premiums and populate injury statistics such as the Hurt Report. They are the orthopaedists and skin-graft surgeon's best friend and the motorcycling public images' worst enemy."

*Tarheal Traveller's Web site; members of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.

I like 'gutter bunny.' :D

I've also heard having a chainring tatoo on your calf called "a Fred."

Dave