Wang Chung - what you might get when your stem has no nard guard. 

Washboard - A ripply patch of road or trail. Water crossing - Why is it that the typical "off-road fun" picture always has some goofy rider with a crooked helmet splashing through a stream? Because it's a blast, that's why! The fact that it makes you cold and messes up your bike only adds to the pleasure.

Wash Out - to have the front tire lose traction, especially while going around a corner.

Weight-Weenie -  a MTB owner (not even necessarily a rider) who is more concerned with how many milligrams a certain component saves off the bike's total weight than with how to be a better rider.

Western spirit -One of the original off-road touring companies, Western Spirit - based in Moab - is one of the best reasons on earth to try an organized group outing. Want to learn to ride? Bring the kids? Need a women's-only group? Western Spirit is a great example of how a well-run bike touring outfit operates. Other good outfitters: REI; Lost World Adventures; Bike Treks International; Britain's Explore and Discover Adventures.

Wheelie - lifting the front wheel off the ground, usually with some combination of pulling on the handlebars, pedaling harder, and balance.

Wheelie Drop - a combo of a wheelie and a jump, used to negotiate a large drop with little speed due to a limited run-out.

Wheelsucker - someone who drafts behind others and doesn't take a pull.

Whoop-de-doos - a series of up-and-down bumps, suitable for jumping.

Wilderness area -This is one place mountain bikes should never be. Wilderness areas are designed to preserve something pristine, primeval, and non-technological. So while there are lots of banned trails that mountain bikes deserve to ride right now, hard-won wilderness should be left alone. (Former riders of the Sespe - a recently formed wilderness area north of Los Angeles - might disagree. But wilderness serves a higher purpose than the wants of any single user group).

Wild Pigs - poorly adjusted brake pads that squeal in use.

Wind up - Steady acceleration to an all-out effort.

Winky - a reflector.

Wipeout - a crash. v. ("wipe out") to crash.

WOMBATS - "WOmen's Mountain Biking And Tea Society", a Marin-based organization founded by writer and former MTB racer Jacquie Phelan.

Wonky - not functioning properly. "I bailed, and now my wheel is all wonky and all I hear are wild pigs."

Woods -Classic east coast riding is through deep forests, over stumps and rocks and wet leaves, through mud and roots. The woods are a great place to ride, even if their constant technical challenge gives western riders fits. There used to be a special breed of bike called a "woods bike," with a higher bottom bracket and longer chainstays than traditional fire-road bombers. These days, a few custom framemakers still build them - most notably Brew - and you can get one from Cannondale, too: it's called the"Beast of the East."

Wrench - to work on one's steed, to adjust or repair. n. a bike shop mechanic. "I blew my shock but the wrench at Charlie's dialed it back in for me."