sag wagon

n. at a bicycling event, the vehicle which carries bicyclists who have withdrawn from the event (due to injury, bicycle malfunction, tiredness, etc.) Subjects: English, Sports & Recreation

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Citations: 1967 Commonwealth Reporter (Fond du Lac, Wisc.) (June 16) “State Plans New Event on Bikeway” p. 8: A “sag wagon” will follow the riders to pick up any who have mechanical difficulty or find the ride too strenuous. 1978 James T. Yenckel Washington Post (Aug. 27) “Wheeling Away the Days” p. H9: The van became very important to us during the week.…Because it picked up weary cyclists unable to finish the day’s route, it was dubbed the “sag wagon.” 1994 [Joseph Stusnick] Usenet: dc.biking (Aug. 24) “PPTC Sep 1994 Ride Schedule”: Non-cycling jobs at Club events (registration, sag wagon, etc). 2004 Doug Harlow Morning Sentinel (Waterville, Maine) (Sept. 16) “Cyclists visit Waterville en route to Key West”: The cyclists said they carry about 10 pounds of weight with them when they ride. The rest of their equipment and belongings travel with Barrett in the support vehicle or “sag” wagon, as they call it.

Posted 16 Sep 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

originally known as a “voiture balai” French for “Broom Wagon” which ‘sweeps up’ cyclists who have ‘thrown in the towel’. This van follows the tail end of the motorvehicle entourage daily following the Tour De France and other major races.

by Marco 30 Nov 06, 1152 GMT