Century: A non-competitive road cycling ride of 100 kilometers or more in metric system countries or 100 miles (160.9 km).
Criterium: A criterium is a mass start, multi-lap highly competitive event on a closed course where laps are typically a mile or less and include 4-6 corners. Racers do a pre-determined number of laps or race for a pre-determined amount of time - usually 30 to 90 minutes.
Cyclocross: Races typically take place in the autumn and winter (the international or "World Cup" season is October–February), and consist of many laps of a short (2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount.
Cyclosportive: A cyclosportive falls between a traditional cycle road race and the more challenging non-competitive randonnée or Audax events. Riders normally carry a number and the time they take to complete the course is recorded. There is usually an upper time limit within which the course must be completed (unlike many randonnée events, there is no lower limit preventing riders from completing the course quickly). The already lengthy course will traditionally include climbs and difficult riding conditions, adding to the merit of the event (e.g. the cobblestones of the Paris–Roubaix).
Fitness-Only: An athlete interested in training for fitness and fun more than competition.
Gran Fondo: A timed non-competitive cycling event of varying distances and elevations, much like a marathon, where most participants are competing against the clock instead of other participants.
Gravel Race: Sitting somewhere between road, cyclocross and mountain bike racing, gravel racing takes place on open gravel roads, dirt double tracks and snaking singletrack, often with some stretches of paved road to link off-road segments.
Hill Climb: A road race that may either be an individual time trial or make up part of a regular road race. A hill climb usually represents an event which gains altitude continuously, usually terminating at a summit.
MTB XC (cross country): A form of mountain biking that is performed on paths consisting of forest paths, smooth roads, singletrack, and paved roads connecting trails. XC biking emphasizes endurance above technical skill.
MTB Endurance: A longer time and distance mountain biking event. Generally rides of 50 or more miles.
MTB Ultra-Endurance: Sometimes referred to as “bikepacking,” is often a multiday event that requires the rider to complete the entire route, unassisted and unsupported. It's generally unorganized with the exception of a route and a start date and time.
Randonee: A long-distance cycling event where riders attempt courses of 200 km or more, passing through predetermined "controls" (checkpoints) every few tens of kilometres. Riders aim to complete the course within specified time limits, and receive equal recognition regardless of their finishing order. Riders may travel in groups or alone as they wish, and are expected to be self-sufficient between controls.
Road Race: A race on paved roads. Two most common competition formats are mass start events, where riders start simultaneously and race to a set finish point; and time trials, where individual riders or teams race a course alone against the clock.
Stage Race: A multiple day race consisting of several mass-start or time-trial stages ridden consecutively.
Time Trial: A road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock
Track Racing: Highly competitive races usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using purpose-designed track bicycles. Track races have two broad categories: sprint races and endurance races. Riders will typically fall into one category and not compete in the other.