Bonk |
Also known as the knock, or a plethora of other terms. The point where the body tells the cyclist "Gimme food now or I ain't co-operating no more". Usually best acted upon if you want to reach your destination. And not a nice experience as legs turn to mush. Better still, avoid it by feeding regularly. Everyone has their own formula. I found something fabulous called something like Walker's Scotch Loaf - more like Christmas pud than anything else. This was, to me, the epitome in bonk food. |
Boom |
Telescopic boom on a recumbent, to which the pedals and front gear mechanism are attached. As there is generally no saddle adjustment, the boom has to be moved in or out to fit different sized riders. Recumbent riders tend to relax further into the seat as they become more used to the riding style, so the boom needs to be moved out from time to time to take this into account (a cramped riding position leads to pain in the knees). |
Cassette |
The group of cog rings forming the centrepiece of the gear mechanism driving the rear wheel. Cogs range from 11 or 12 teeth bottom (high gear) up to 30 to 34 tooth top sprockets (low gear). |
Chainring |
Large cog wheels at the front end of the drivechain, driven by the pedals. Mercury has three - a 52 tooth ring, a 42 tooth ring and a 30 tooth ring. A combination of small front with large rear sprockets mean a low gear, and vice versa. |
MTB |
Mountain bike, the closest thing to agricultural machinery in the cycling world. Ergo I call them tractors |
Recumbent |
The bicycle of the 21st century, as opposed to the upright (or rather, upwrong), which has dominated the 20th but has now, frankly, had its day. More comfortable, more aerodynamic, and infinitely more posy, who'd be seen dead on a "safety cycle" when you could have a 'bent? |
Sustrans |
A well-meaning charity
designing and building routes for sustainable transport. While some of
their work is excellent, such as the safe routes to schools programme,
which promotes cycling to school ahead of the school run, other work is,
in my opinion, more misguided. Promoting a network of segregated, or
worse, shared-use paths reinforces the popular misconception that cycling
on roads is dangerous and ought to be discouraged. This does not help the
cause of those who prefer to ride on the road for both safety and
convenience.
For more details on Sustrans, visit their website. |
Travelmaster |
1:250 000 regional maps of the UK from Ordnance Survey. Not the best OS maps around for cycling, but probably the most suitable for long-distance touring in the UK. Of course, those with an unlimited budget and support vehicle could always opt for the 40 Landranger (1:50 000) maps which should just about cover the route I took. A snip at £200. |
Last Updated on 25 November, 1999