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A Guide to Wheeling Field Commands

Riding with a team of gentlemen (or ladies) on bicycles in a new city can prove hectic. On AsiaWheeling, the obstacles in these cities multiply: unpaved roads, conflicting street signs, vehicles ranging from fellow bicyclists to gigantic fuming buses, livestock, rickshaws, and open sewers. Often, we are without map or compass to sharpen our innate sense of direction and stimulate interactions with the local population.

So what keeps us unified and organized so that we may surmount the intricacies of the many metropolitan villages? The Wheeling Field Commands.

As you may be aware, the rider frontmost in the pack and closest to the flow of traffic is christened the bishop, or symply the bish. The bishop issues the field commands to the rest of the formation, including both formational and directional commands. The rider bringing up the tail is known as the anti-bishop. All field commands must be both verbally acknowledged and signaled with the hands. These field commands are as follows.

Directional Commands

Command: Rauschenberg
Abbreviation: “Rausch”
Illustration:

rausch

Required Execution: (1) Turn right at the next possible intersection. (2) May also be used as a signifier for right side.
Example Use Case: “A rauchenberg here will get us to the animal market” or “Peep this industrial wasteland on your rausch”

Command: Liechtenstein
Abbreviation: “Liecht”
Illustration:

liecht

Required Execution: (1) Turn left at the next possible intersection (2) Directionally, as used like rauschenberg above
Use Case Example: “Let’s take a liechtenstein to navigate this construction zone” or ” Lets pass this guy on his leicht”

Command: Gerade Aus
Abbreviation: “Gerade”
Illustration:

gerade

Required Execution: Continue wheeling in the forward direction. No turns should be made at the approaching intersection. Synonymous to “straight.”
Use Case Example: “The light’s still green, we’d better gerade aus”

Command: Waypoint

Illustration:
waypoint

Required Execution: To stop your bicycle at a point of interest in order to gawk at a specific object or otherwise dismount for pedestrian activity. Most commonly used here at AsiaWheeling Global to purchase bottles of water from street vendors.
Example Use Case: “There’s a market selling eels and crustaceans to our liecht. Waypoint! Waypoint!”

Command: Highway Speeds

Illustration:

highway_speeds

Required Execution: To pedal at maximum velocity for a sustained period of time.
Example Use Case: “We’re entering a raging tunnel bridge. Highway Speeds!”

Wheeling Postures

Posture: Rough Rider

Illustration:

rausch

Required Execution: To grip the handlebars and remove one’s behind from the bicycle seat to hover above the back tire. In the case that the back tire has a fender, one rough riding may sit on the fender and pedal.

Example Use Case: “Low hanging trees. Better get down. Rough Rider!”

Posture: Forward Position

Illustration:

forward

Required Execution: To grip the handlebars and place feet firmly on the pedals. Stand up and arch chest forward with chin up. Thighs should touch handlebars or be as near as possible. Field of vision should exclude any parts of one’s bicycle.
Example Use Case: “I can’t believe we’re wheeling so hard in Tienanmen Square. Forward Position!”

We hope you find this post helpful and that you may utilize it in your daily lives. Remember: Signal your intent and wheel safe.

Comments

  1. Diane Heditsian | July 12th, 2008 | 11:32 am

    Thanks for that explanation. Will come in very handy.

  2. Dad/Mark | July 12th, 2008 | 9:19 pm

    Nothing personal, but you two are nuts! But that is why this is such a hoot to read!

  3. Smith, G | July 14th, 2008 | 2:57 am

    Lets continue to spread the wheeling knowledge.

  4. Woody | July 14th, 2008 | 3:36 am

    Thanks for reading, G. Can’t wait to see you when were next both Grin City.

  5. Colin | August 2nd, 2008 | 4:29 pm

    This is my favorite post so far as I backtrack through the trip. Nice Graphics, these would make great, great souvenir posters. Seriously.

  6. Colin | August 2nd, 2008 | 4:29 pm

    If the souvenir posters come out, I would like FORWARD POSITION for my wall please.

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  8. Hud | January 19th, 2010 | 7:12 am

    haha, awesome!

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