53 x 12/39 x 27 Refers to number of teeth on front chainring and rear cog
Aerobic In the presence of oxygen; aerobic metabolism uses oxygen
Aero Bar Integrated – prolongateur aérodynamique aile plate integrée -
-Fully integrated aerodynamic handlebar with streamlined tubing
Aero Helmet – casque contre-la-montre ou triathlon - Aerodynamic bike helmet; cost-efficient source of time savings for long-distance racing
Aero Position –position aérodynamique ou “oeuf”– generally a very forward position on the bike, similar to a time trial position for a cyclist
Aero Wheels – roue aérodynamique – generally deep rim (50-90mm) wheels made of carbon fibre with a hefty price tag, if you can only afford one, buy a front wheel which cuts through undisturbed air
Age Grouper – compétiteur en catégorie d’âge – most triathlon races are open to all competitors, but may be a national or world championship event for those who have qualified in their age group
Aid Station – station de ravitaillement – grab coke, iso-drinks, raisins and bananas and run-on
Alii Drive – the finishing stretch of the Hawaii Ironman
Anaerobic – anaérobique -
Anaerobic Threshold – seuil anaérobique -
Automatic Pedals – pédales automatiques -
Bar End Shifters - manettes de vitesse pour prolongateur -
Base Bar - aile contre la montre -
Bento Box – aéropocket – small soft box which sits on the top tube of the bike and holds gels, salt tablets, tubes etc
Bladed Spokes – rayons droits -
Bonk – fringale -
Bracelet – bracelet -
Cadence – cadence – pedalling speed
Carbo Loading - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate_loading
Carbon Rims – jantes en carbone -
CD – courte distance – Olympic distance tri race 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Chainring – plateau – the large front rings of a derailleur gear system and the first number in references such as 53 x 12/39 x 27 which are the number of teeth on front chainring and rear cog
Chamois – chamois - the padding in cycle shorts or tri shorts
ChampionChip - Microchip attached around ankle worn during races
Finishing Chute - The last 30 metres of a race
Clear Transition - No bags or personal effects allowed in the transition zone
Clinchers – pneus – comprise a thin inner tube and thicker outer tyre, generally heavier than tubulars, but easier to change in the case of a puncture
Cog – pignon – the rear rings of a derailleur shifter system and the second number in references such as 53 x 12/39 x 27 which are the number of teeth on front chainring and rear cog
Climb – col -
Compact - a compact crankset offers a smaller chainring (typically 34/50) than a standard chainring (typically 39/52)
CO² Cartridge - compressed gas used to rapidly inflate a tire
Cranks – manivelles -
Disc Wheel – roue lenticulaire – extremely aerodynamic rear wheel for strong skilled riders capable of generating lots of power and handling the effect on trajectory in a cross wind
Drafting – aspiration abri - Swimming, biking or running behind another competitor to reduce effort
Drafting Zone - zone d’aspiration abri – in France this is a rectangle 7m long by 3m wide which is measured from the foremost point of the front wheel. You must only enter this zone if you can clearly overtake the rider in front. You must enter the drafting zone on a parallel course to the rider in front of you . You are overtaken when the frontwheel of another rider is ahead of yours – it is then your responsibility to drop back out of the drafting zone.
Draft Legal – cyclisme avec drafting - A triathlon race where you may draft behind other competitors
Drops – partie inférieure du guidon - The lower portion of turned down handlebars
EmbrunMan - Perhaps the world’s toughest triathlon
En Danseuse - Out of the saddle climbing on the bike
Ergogenic Aid - A substance, device or phenomenon that can improve athletic performance
Fartlek - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fartlek
Float - Refers to amount of lateral foot movement of cycling shoe when clipped in to automatic pedal
FFTRI - French Triathlon Federation
Heartbreak Hill – the final climb of the Swiss Ironman, short, but tough ... also refers to a 0.4 mile climb around the 20 mile mark of the Boston Marathon
Heart Rate Monitor – cardio-fréquence metre – the simplest version measure just your heart rate; top models include: altitude, temperature, power, cadence, speed, climb and even GPS
Hoods – cocottes – the soft rubber covers over the brake levers
Home Trainer – home trainer – an alternative to rollers for indoor training; most models clamp the skewer on the rear wheel which presses against a weighted fly-wheel
Intensity – intensité -
Isolated Leg Training – jambe isolée
ITU – International Triathlon Union -
Lactic Acid – acide lactique
Lactate - Formed when lactic acid from the muscles enters the blood stream
Lactate Threshold - The point during exercise of increasing intensity at which blood lactate begins to accumulate above resting levels. Also known as anaerobic threshold.
License
Mash - To push a big gear (ie 53 x 12)
Mask – masque – an alternative to swim goggles offering greater visibility in open water - a thinner more aqua-dynamic version of a scuba diver’s mask
Overshoes – sur-chaussures – range from skimpy lycra versions for time trials to thick neoprene versions to keep your cycling shoes warm and dry
Pasta Party – many races offer a meal on the eve of the race, carbohydrates oblige…
Penalty – pénalité – in France, infringements – the most common being illegal drafting – are generally signalled by yellow, red and black cards; sanctions range from a stop-and-go penalty to disqualification. Attend the race briefing to find out the specific rules for that race, such as no- overtaking zones etc
Pullbouy – pullbouy – small floatation device place between thighs
Queen K – the main highway of the Hawaii Ironman race
Quick Laces – lacets rapides – any type of lace which does not need to be undone in order for the shoe to be put on; a great time-saver in shorter races, not so important in Ironman
Q-Factor – the distance between the pedal platforms
Race Caller – commentateur – even the smallest local events tend to have a race caller, there are famous names in the US and Europe
Race Briefing – briefing – an explanation of the course, safety regulations and the rules being applied by the head referee for the event; at many races this will take place just before the start of the swim, but at others it may be the day before the race. It is essential to attend in order to avoid silly penalties
Race Number Belt – ceinture porte dossard – attach your race number to the belt which you put on when you get to your bike in T1
Referee – arbitre – French officials where black and white vertical striped shirts and patrol the course in boats, on motorbikes and on mountain bikes. If you disagree with a referee’s decision complete the race and contest afterwards – not during the race
Rollers – purists claim these to be the most realistic cycling experience of indoor training equipment; the bike’s wheels simply sit on polyurethane rollers held in a rectangular frame
Slappers – bénévoles – kind-hearted volunteers who are there just to put sun cream on you in T1 and T2
Soft Pedalling – gentle spinning applying little force to the pedals, recommended at the end of a long ride to minimise lactate build-up
Special Needs Bag – particular to long-distance and Ironman races you have the possibility of filling your Special Needs Bag with whatever you think you might need: CO² cartridges, inner tubes, gels, a note from a supporter, a cuddly-toy or a peanut butter sarnie… in general you do not get this bag back from the race organiser so you want to limit contents to disposable items
Spinning – mouliner – pedalling above 100 rotations per minute and preferred pedalling technique of triathletes as avoids lactate build-up associated with mashing
Sortie à l’Australienne – a brief exit from the water between laps to allow supporters to get a better view of competitors
Stem - potence -
Tapering – the “art” of reducing training and increasing rest prior to a long-distance race
T1 - Abbreviation of Transition 1 – the change from swim to bike
T2 - Abbreviation of Transition 2 – the change from bike to run
The Energy Lab – A particularly energy-sapping section of the Ironman World Championship race in Kona
Time trial – contre-la-montre – a short-distance bike race from point to point; riders start at intervals, usually one or two minutes, and ride solo
Transition Bags Used in clear transition races, you put the kit you will require for the transition from swim to bike in one bag and the kit you will require for the bike to run transition in another. These bags are then hung on separate racks usually in a tent and bear your race number.
Transition Zone – aire de transition – this where you will park your bike for the race and it is the hub of a triathlon. Make sure you know by what time you have to deposit your bike and what you require to access transition. You will also need to check whether the race is a clear transition race, in which case you will need to deposit your kit in transition bags provided by the organizer or a normal transition race in which you will have a small space next to your bike to put your race kit
Tri Bag Rucksack or holdall with wet and dry zones, aerated pockets and space for helmet and pump
Tri Bars See Aero Bars
Tri Bike – vélo chrono ou contre-la-montre - Road or Time Trial Bike with steeper seat tube, longer top tube and shallower head tube to allow for a more forward cycling position
Tri Saddle – selle triathlon - Longer, more padded version of normal racing saddle
Tri Shoes - Cycling shoes specifically adapted for triathlon: easy access, simple closing, seamless linings
Tri Shorts – a shorter version of bike shorts with a chamois made of fast-drying material
Tri Suit – trifonction - Lycra/Polyamide garment which can be worn under wetsuit
Tri Top – singlet de triathlète – generally a sleeveless, tight fitting top with long zipper and rear or side pockets for gels
Tubulars – boyeux- a one piece tyre and inner tube. Supposedly offers lower rolling-resistence and gives greater feel, wheelsets for tubular weigh less than wheelsets for clinchers
Volunteers – bénévoles – Triathlon would not be the same without them; they are there to help you out of the water, to slap on suncream, to replace your bike in transition, to man aid stations, to regulate traffic and to help you across the line when you are done. A must experience for all triathletes
Wetsuit – combinaison - Triathlon wetsuits were invented by Dan Empfield in 1987, they differ from normal wetsuits: smooth exterior, flexible shoulder cut, variable thickness rubber
WTC - World Triathlon Corporation – responsible for the Ironman events
