SEG-muhnt
Noun
A segment is a specific section of a route, usually defined by a start and end point.
Example usage: 'I'm trying to beat my time on the local segment.'
Most used in: Cycling communities around the world.
Most used by: Professional and amateur cyclists.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 1/10
Also see: KOM, QOM, Sprint, Strava Segment,
What is a Cycling Segment?
A cycling segment is a section of a route that is tracked by a GPS cycling computer. Segments are typically named after roads, trails, or other landmarks. Segments can be used to track progress and compare performance over time, as well as compare performances with other cyclists.
Segments are typically created by cyclists and shared with other cyclists in the cycling community. Each segment is associated with a start and end point, and the segment’s length and elevation gain can also be tracked. Segments can also be categorized according to their difficulty level.
Cyclists can use segments to measure their performance in terms of time and distance. The segment’s leaderboard shows the best times recorded by cyclists who have completed the segment, and cyclists can compare their own performance against the leaderboard. This can be a great way to stay motivated and improve one’s performance over time.
Segments are becoming increasingly popular among cyclists, with over 15 million segments created worldwide. With the rise of fitness tracking apps, segment tracking is becoming more accessible and popular, allowing cyclists to track their progress and compare performances with other cyclists.
.The Origins of the Cycling Term 'Segment'
Cyclists have long used the term 'Segment' to describe certain sections of a route or race. The term was first used in the late 1990s in the French Pyrenees, when mountain bikers began to use 'segments' to refer to a portion of a trail, usually between two points of interest. It was only a few years later that the term began to be used more widely, as cyclists around the world adopted the terminology.
The term quickly spread from mountain bikers to road cyclists and other types of cyclists, and it has become a common way to refer to sections of a route. Segments are often used to measure a cyclist's pace and can be used to compare different routes and measure progress over time.
The term 'segment' has become an essential part of the cycling lexicon, and it is now used by cyclists around the world to refer to sections of a route.
