(Thank you to 2023 team journalist Jonathan Boudreaux for writing the bulk (if not all) of the definitions below!)
Bike lights: front (white) and rear (red, flashing) mounted lights. Illuminate road conditions and signal presence to vehicles. Typically battery powered or USB rechargeable. Required for I4K.
Bonus gravel: an unexpected bit of gravel that the team bravely conquers during the ride. Similar to an additional level in a video game.
Callouts: verbal cues spoken and repeated by all riders in a group. Describe hazards, passing vehicles, directional cues, and more.
Car back: a callout; indicates a vehicle behind the group in occupied lane or lane next to the shoulder. “Truck” or other vehicle type may replace “car,” and other directions are used to indicate vehicle position (“car up,” “car right”).
Century: a single ride with a duration of 100 miles.
Clear in the rear: a callout; indicates no vehicles behind the group. Sometimes followed by a yell of “Cleeeeean wipe!”
Crosswind: wind from the direction facing the sides of the rider. Can be anywhere between negligible and difficult to ride in.
Dynamic chores: necessary day-to-day tasks that rotate among selected riders. There are many, and include packing the van, cooking breakfast, policing stayovers, PB&J prep, and (perhaps the most necessary) waking up the team.
The Exec Board: the epic and amazing team of humans without whom I4K could never happen. This includes positions such as President, Vice President, Logistics Director, Social Director (new), Information Director, DEI Director, Fundraising Director, Portraits Director, Marketing Director, and Treasurer. They each handle all of the differing aspects of the organization and collaborate with each other and the Bike America Team throughout the year leading up to the ride.
Fallen in: Used to describe riding in a pace line or straight line. Typically used on two-lane roads and to allow cars to pass. Associated with callouts “Fall in!” and “Falling in!”, to which the group condenses into a pace line and follows directly behind first position.
Gapping: a callout; indicates a gap has formed between riders. The rider(s) in front close the gap by slowing the pace.
The Gear Program: a collection of donated and reused cycling materials (including bikes, apparel, and accessories) that aid riders with being able to participate in the ride stress-free with reduced cost.
G Pho: slang for the shared Google Photos album, where the 2024 team uploads their pictures from the day.
Girl group: name denoting a ride group comprised of all amazing and epic women.
Headwind: wind from the direction facing the front of the rider. Hardest wind condition to ride in.
I4K: I-four-K, short for Illini 4000.
I4K holidays: special occasions throughout the ride meant to help keep spirits high. Includes Valentine’s Day, I4Christmas in July, I4K Prom, and others.
@i4kones: an Instagram account showcasing the delicious ice cream eaten across the country by the I4K team. Started in 2024 by rider Anthony Dirico. Give us a follow!
@i4kows: an Instagram account showcasing the I4K team with cows we meet along the route. Started in 2021 by rider Camden Cortes. Go follow if you haven’t already!
I4Kristmas: one of the I4K holidays. Traditionally celebrated on July 25th and involves a Secret Santa-like gift exchange consisting of one small bought gift and one side-of-the-road gift. Christmas music and decor is optional but encouraged.
I4K Prom: also known as prom. An I4K holiday traditionally celebrated close to the end of the ride. Involves typical prom traditions including proposals and pictures with an I4K twist. Thematic or ridiculous attire is encouraged. Rider superlative awards are also given at this event.
Jersey: the top or shirt element of biking gear. Very lightweight and moisture-wicking with a zipper in the center. The orange and blue I4K jerseys are designed by the board and made by Primal, and are part of the worn riding gear on each day of the ride.
Morning circle: A daily ride ritual that is used to discuss the route, any relevant items of business, and give riders a chance to offer ride dedications.
NRLAD: short for National Ride Leader Appreciation Day. An I4K holiday celebrating the ride leader(s) and all they have done for the team. Each team chooses how and when to celebrate this occasion.
Oatmeal: the I4K breakfast of champions.
Passing: a callout; indicates a vehicle passing on the left. “Passing right” used if vehicle passing on the right.
PB&J: everything you need to eat for a good ride.
PB&J box: the box that holds our bread, peanut butter, and jelly specifically for PB&Js during our lunch stops. Also holds serving utensils and sometimes other food. Maintained by its own dynamic chore role.
The Portraits Project: A video interview compilation of people who have experienced cancer in any way, shape, or form, directly or indirectly. A truly American profile of the ways in which cancer can impact the lives of so many. Anyone met on the ride itself or outside of it may be interviewed and their stories added to the ever-growing Project. It is one of, if not the primary task of the ride in regard to our mission. To read more about the Portraits Project, please visit its own dedicated tab on the website menu. The current Portraits Director for I4k is Emily Gonzalez, and the Portraits Coordinator for the ride itself is Emma Darbro.
Pulling off: a callout; indicates moving off the road and stopping at the next safe place to do so.
Rail trail: a common form of multi-use or bike-specific trail. Often converted from discontinued railroad tracks and paved over. Make up a small but noticeable percentage of I4K routes and found nationwide.
Rest day: a day of rest and no riding. Riders are free to explore the area or stay at the stayover (and likely catch up on some much needed zzz’s).
Rest stop: a predetermined stopping place during a ride day. The van there and available with nutrition, sunscreen, and anything else one may need. Typically 15-20 minutes. The second of these is usually a lunch stop and lasts closer to 30 minutes.
Rider contract: a set of rules and regulations that riders are expected to follow as an I4K rider and teammate. Signed upon offer of a place on the team.
Rider groups: organized groups of 3-5 riders that bike together for the duration of the route that day. The main format of riding for I4K. Spaced out approximately two minutes from each other to start. Simultaneously provides easy communication between riders and the most visibility for drivers.
Ride with GPS: a mobile app that uses GPS signal to track position, mileage, speed, etc. Our routes are created and accessible in the app, and verbal navigation cues guide us through each route.
Rolling: a callout; indicates moving from a stop. Combined with directions to indicate turns (rolling left, rolling right)
Rolling through: a callout; indicates rolling through an intersection without stopping or slowing. Used at green lights and sometimes substituted with “ROLL TIDE.”
Rollout: term used for the start of each day’s ride. Not to be confused with rolling out, or the physical use of rollers on one’s legs to massage the associated muscles.
Sag (v.): short for Supply And Gear, riding in the van and assisting the driver with finding rest stops, navigation, packing and repacking, music choice, calling for donations, and many other things. Also a time to sleep or chat.
SAV: the name for the van of the 2024 team. Stands for “Super Awesome Van” and alternatively an abbreviation of “savior” as it rescues stranded riders. Naming credits to Olaf and Claudia.
Shuttle (v.): transport rider groups to various points on the route including rest stops and stayovers. May be due to a variety of reasons including severe weather and bike problems.
Slack: a business-oriented messaging app that is I4K’s primary mode of electronic communication. Common phrases include “It’s in the Slack,” “Check Slack,” and more.
Slowing: a callout; indicates coasting, braking, or otherwise reducing speed.
Stayover: a location along our route where we can rest, explore the surrounding area, repair our bikes, and ultimately spend the night. Each is organized ahead of time, and usually include churches, schools, community centers, and even a few campgrounds.
Stopping: a callout; indicates coming to a stop.
Stop up: a callout; indicates that a stop sign or red light is ahead, prepare to stop. Followed by “slowing,” then “stopping.”
Take/taking the lane: a callout; indicates fully occupying the current lane or moving to a separate lane after doing so (“taking the left lane”). Accomplished by organizing the group from a pace line to a triangle, square, or set of five as appears on a die. Done so on four lane roads, before turns and stops, and as a means to be more visible to drivers in situations where passing is not safe. Call is “take the lane,” response is “taking the lane.”
The van: our home away from home, the perfect space to store our personal gear, team gear, and take a good nap. Stops at rest stops to provide nutrition and water and follows the team as we bike.
UIUC: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, home of the Fighting Illini, and our host university. Most of our team attends or has recently graduated from UIUC.
Van drivers: anyone with a license drives the team van on a rotating schedule. They find rest stops, pick up supplies and donations, and keep in contact with each rider group.
Van up: a callout; the van is parked ahead, indicates a rest stop. A favorite among riders.
Watch left/middle/right: a callout; used to point out obstructions or hazards with accompanying hand signals. The name of the object in question may be used instead of “watch” or as a separate callout (“watch hole left,” “debris right”)
Zoleo: a satellite relay device that can be used to contact the van or other groups if cellular service is unavailable. Can also be used to send SOS signals to emergency services. Compact and handy, one goes with each group and one stays in the van.