page_title: Glossary of cycling
section_title: A
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of cycling / A
caption_attribution_description: Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Fish bike.
context_page_description: This is a glossary of terms and jargon used in cycling, mountain biking, and cycle sport.
context_section_description: À bloc
  Going À bloc means riding as hard as one possibly can, which can be risky as it leaves one in a state where recovery is needed, and therefore vulnerable to being attacked.
   Aero bars
  Extension of the handlebars usually allowing the rider to rest their elbows and benefit from improved aerodynamics. Often found on Time trial bicycles.
   Aero racing bicycle
  A type of racing bike that combines the aerodynamic features of a time trial bicycle with a road racing bicycle.
   All terrain tire
  Off-road tire, or a bicycle tire designed to function well for varied terrain and uses.
   All-rounder
  A racing cyclist who excels in both climbing and time trialing, and may also be a decent sprinter. In stage races, an all-rounder is likely to place well in the General classification. All-rounders are usually Team Leaders in both stage races and classics cycle races. The term all-rounder can also mean a bicycle designed to function well for varied terrain and uses.
   Alleycat race
  A bicycle race typically organized by bicycle messengers or couriers.  Alleycat races seek to replicate some of the duties that a working messenger might encounter during a typical day.  The races usually consist of previously undisclosed checkpoints, which are listed on a manifest, that a racer will have to go to; once at the checkpoint the racer will have his/her manifest updated.  First racer to return with a completed manifest wins. Alleycats were first formalized in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1989; however, messengers have been racing against each other for much longer.  Recently, with the boom in urban cycling, many non-messengers have been participating in and organizing alleycat races.
   Arrière du peloton
  From French, literally the "rear of the peloton" (main group of riders). Also called the Feu Rouge (red tail light) or Lanterne rouge.
   Art bike
  A bicycle modified for creative purposes while still being ridable.
   Attack
  To quickly accelerate while riding in a pack, or in smaller numbers, with a view to creating a gap between yourself and other riders.
   Audax
  In the United Kingdom and a few other places: the same as randonneuring.
  In other parts of the world: a discipline related to randonneuring where everyone rides together in a group led by a captain, with a pre-defined schedule.
   Audax bicycle
  A bicycle built for randonneuring and audax rides. Functionally in-between a road racing bike and a touring bike. Usually equipped with fenders, dynamo-based lights and a small front or rear luggage rack.
   Autobus
  A group of riders in a stage race (typically non-climbers and suffering domestiques) who ride together as a group on the mountain stages with the sole intention of finishing within the stage's time limit to allow them to start the next day. Also known by the Italian term gruppetto.
caption: An art bike
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