This is a guide to assist in communication and is not an official club glossary. It is also not meant to be exclusionary as EVERYONE is welcomed on all called club rides. With regard to terminology, it is acknowledged that many may fall in-between some of these categories…
RIDERS
INTRODUCTORY: Just got the bike… still learning the difference between the brakes and the shifters. Need some time on the bike before sharing the road with the cars and definitely prefer to ride with a buddy. Still finds the bike labels at the bottom of this page helpful.
BEGINNER: You are fit, you ride. Still getting comfortable and more fit on your bike. Your average speed is probably below 14 mph. but you are not comfortable in technical terrain (hills) and are still nervous with the cars.
INTERMEDIATE: You are beyond beginner but are not as fast as our "Fast". You can handle the same terrain/routes as our "Fast" riders but you take it a bit more slowly. After a ride your average speed is around 14-16 mph.
FAST: You are likely very fit in some or all areas (endurance, speed, flats, and hills.) You ride frequently, are comfortable on your bike, and often ride alone or with a small group of buddies. You probably could race if you trained but either aren’t interested or are not there yet. Your average speed ranges from 17 to 18 mph plus.
ADVANCED: The most fit and the fastest. Probably you’re a racer (or certainly could be).
RIDE TYPES
CASUAL: Mello pace with sweep (ride leader will ensure no one is left behind). Suitable for beginner riders. Depending upon ride terrain, suitable for Introductory riders as well. Example: Thursday Spring Creek ride.
MODERATE PACE: Describes an intermediate (14-16 MPH AVE) ride. Probably 14+ on Burma and 15-16 on the Loop Group 20-mile ride.
SOCIAL: Riders are encouraged to ride at own pace until a designated stop location. Generally a count is made at designated rest/regroup stops. Let other riders know if you plan to vary from the announced route. Suitable for Intermediate and Fast riders who like the camaraderie of group rides.
TRAINING: Brisk rides with few or no stops for resting or regrouping. Ride leaders do not sweep and participants must be self sufficient. Example: Loop Group rides.
MTB: Off-Road riding not suitable for road bikes.
Cyclo-cross: Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races take place off-road, typically in the autumn and winter, and consists of many laps of a short (2–3 km) course featuring wooded trails, grass, steep hills, and obstacles requiring the rider to dismount, jump the barrier and remount.
See Bike Terminology on this page for a complete glossary.
TERRAIN DESCRIPTIONS
FLAT: As flat as you can find in the foothills. Some gentle grades. Example: Loop group.
ROLLING: Fun rollers, gentle. Example: Arden Road.
HILLY: Some grades, may be challenging to introductory and some beginner riders. Example: Parts of Wednesday State Park group ride.
STEEP HILLS: Short steep and/or long moderate grades. Challenging for Intermediate riders. Examples: Burma Road, last 10 miles of Susan Peak, or Allen Lane.
MOUNTAINOUS: Very steep and long climbs. Strong riders only. Examples: Some of the organized tours within Texas.
HAVE FUN!
