Special handlebars that allow a cyclist to ride in an aerodynamic 'tuck like a skier. Greg LeMond used them to dramatic effect in the 1989 Tour, winning by 8 seconds overall, and only on the final stage.

Road bike brake levers employing hidden cables that travel out the back of the level body and under the handlebar tape. Pretty much de rigeur these days. If you see someone in the Tour riding non-aero levers, call security, it's some crazed cyclotourist fred named Dede crashing the breakaway.

An intensity of exercise where the body flushes lactic acid faster than it produces it. Most endurance riding is aerobic.

It's big. It's bad. It isn't the stuff you breathe; it's the stuff you get riding in the space shuttle; in suicide off the Chrysler Building; and, most importantly, during your ride. Roadies don't normally get much air. If Tour riders get any, it's usually because something went horribly wrong. (See also roundabout).

The most famous climb in the Tour, it's the most prestigious stage (21 switchbacks!) for any climber to win.

Makers of synthetic recombinant EPO, a red blood cell booster used by anemia patients.

An intensity of exercise past the point where the body can cope with its production of lactic and need for oxygen. You can't ride this hard for long.

The point just below when the body's energy production switches from aerobic to anaerobic. Interval training raises the heart at which the threshold is crossed. Also called the lactate threshold (LT).

Seven-time Tour de France champion. Beat the other riders, cancer, and a nasty French press (media, not a coffee maker) to win in 2003, 2004, 2005. Retired from competitive cycling in July 2005.

An aggressive, high-speed jump away from other riders.

When riders stop off the back of the pack to take a leak in the woods. During crucial stages pissing is done on the bike, but when the pack is tooling along slowly riders will stop. At this point Gerry from Radio Tour will announce riders are taking l'au naturel. (See also Radio Tour).

Crash