Aid Station

Food/water, restroom, first aid, mechanical aid stops set up at regular intervals.  For many riders, the overall quality of the ride or tour is judged solely by the perceived quality/quantity of the food/drink/music at the aid stations.

Draft

To sit behind another rider in their ‘slipstream.’  The rider in front blocks the wind for the rider in back.  Ideally, a group of riders will do this, each taking a turn at the front for a few minutes, then resting in the back.  The bigger the group, the larger the effect is, and the faster the bunch can go.  Smart, experienced riders find a big, strong guy or two and just sit behind them.

Ride Bible

A book handed out to each rider with info about the route, the towns, local events, places to eat, etc.  Much of the information is often erroneous.

Sag

To give up riding and take a gas-powered vehicle to the end of the ride.  All large organized rides have vehicles and drivers especially for this purpose; it’s a big part of what the entrance fee pays for.  Some people seem to actually plan on sagging.  Mr. WeirdWrench thinks that anyone who does this should have a large, fluorescent orange ‘W’ (for wimp) painted on his or her forehead before being allowed to enter the sag vehicle.

Tandem

Y’know, a bicycle built for two.  Mr. Weirdwrench really doesn’t get this.  He knows for a fact that one reason he’s stayed married so long is that he never seriously tried to get his wife on a tandem with him.

Ubiquitous Small Town Chinese Restaurant

Every small town in the western US has one.  The food is often passable, but, no matter how good it may have once been, it tends to become ‘blandized’ over time, reflecting the taste of the local residents.  It also is often the only restaurant in town open on holidays.

Wristband

A color-coded plastic strip that each rider needs to wear to indicate that he or she is a fee-paid participant of the ride, and thus entitled to use the aid stations and other amenities provided.  They are universally ignored by those who are supposed to be making sure the riders have them.