Jargon Buster

Much cycling jargon can seem mystifying, if not downright baffling. What is 'through and off'? What's a 'sportif' anyway? On this page, we try and explain some of the more common terms.

Audax (Latin for 'bold'): An audax is a non-competitive event, usually with an emphasis on longer distances (starting at 100km and going up to 600km or more). Riders are not timed, but there is a minimum speed that must be achieved. To stop riders racing, a maximum speed is set as well. These are generally sociable events, with cafe stops a good chance to talk to other riders. The majority of audax rides in the UK are organised by Audax UK.
British Cycling (BC) are the governing body for the majority of cycle sport in the UK (our equivalent to the FA if you like). They are the umbrella organisation for most domestic road racing (as opposed to time-trialling) and are responsible for the development of elite level riders as part of the Great Britain team. BC set the rules under which their road races are run and arrange insurance. They can provide individual insurance for their members and legal back-up. In order to compete in BC races it is necessary to be an individual member and hold a current racing licence (day licenses are usually possible but expensive in the long run). Note that it isn't necessary to hold a license or be a BC member if you only want to compete in time-trials (see CTT below).
Club Event: An event restricted to members of the host club.
Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC) has been around only slightly longer than Manchester Wheelers' and supports its members with insurance, legal cover, touring/travel/technical advice and is the most visible organisation when it comes to campaigning for cyclists' rights both on and off-road.
Cycling Time Trials (CTT) govern the time-trialling side of the sport and were formally known as the Road Time Trials Council (RTTC). In order to compete in any CTT event, including Club time-trials, you must be a member of a CTT affiliated club for insurance reasons, but you do not have to be an individual member of CTT. Manchester Wheelers' are of course affiliated to CTT.
First Claim Member: Under BC rules, cyclists are allowed to be a member of more than one club, but must nominate one of them as their primary, or first claim, club for the purposes of racing. The rider can usually only race in the colours of the first claim club and that club's name should be used in results. If you are already a first claim member of another club, you can still join Manchester Wheelers' as a second claim member. Riders can have various reasons to take out second claim memberships. Sometimes it's to stay in contact if they move away from the area, or it may be gain access to the events of another club.
Half-wheeling is the phrase given to riding half a wheel in front of your mate on the front in an attempt to encourage them to ride quicker and quicker. This is bad form, but usually a sub-conscious act.
Open Event: An event open to all riders with the appropriate affiliation, either individually or through their club.
Second Claim Member: see first claim member.
Sportif: A sportif is superficially like an audax in that it is a mass start event over a fixed route, but is not a race as such. Unlike an audax however, all riders receive a time, stops are short and speeds (at the front at least) can be very high. Many riders find these events a good addition or alternative to road racing, and they can be both very challenging and very enjoyable. In the UK, the most well known event is probably the Etape du Tour, which each year follows a stage of the Tour De France.
The League International (TLI) are an alternative governing body for cycle sport. Most competition is through age groups and/or handicapping of one type or another and events are lower key than those organised through BC.
Through and Off: A technique where riders work together to go faster than any one rider could individually. By taking turns at the front in a rotating line, no rider has to work in the wind at the front for more than a few seconds and so high speeds can be achieved.
Vet (or Veteran): A Rider of 40 years old or over. League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC) road race events are only open to vets, and many other types of events (including TT's and sportifs) usually have categories for older age groups - for example V40, V50 etc in time trials.

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Many thanks to Clifton Cycling Club for their help in compiling this list.