Road cycling or biking is as old as the bicycle itself. Through changing times and cultures, the activity has remained very popular among cyclists. Among the most common reasons why road biking is done are racing, leisure, commuting and for messenger work. Concerns about the effect of motor vehicles on the environment have led to a renewed interest in biking in many places all over the world.
There are various types of bicycles that can be used including touring, BMX and recumbent. The best types will have multiple gears and drop handlebars. Handlebars are placed a little lower than the saddle to give the rider a better aerodynamic position. Tires are usually narrow to exert high pressure and to decrease rolling resistance. Overall they are lighter than ordinary bicycles.
Mountain bikes are a popular choice for many cyclists. Most have slick tires which help them to achieve great speeds. They allow the rider to assume an upright position which gives them a better view of oncoming traffic. While they may not be the most efficient for racing, for example, they can be fitted with several accessories such as cargo racks and mudguards.
Cyclists should know that they are subject to the same traffic rules as any other road user. Caution is very important for riders as it helps avoid unnecessary accidents. Due to the difficulty in visualizing riders on the road, the general advice is that they should put on bright, reflective clothing that makes them easily noticeable.
As a sport, the race is held on regular roads or those that are specially paved. Except for the handicap races, riders usually start simultaneously. The first rider to get to the finish line at the end of the course is declared the winner. Individual and team trials are other kinds of races that exist. On an international scale, major races include, the Olympics, world cycling championships and the commonwealth games among others.
Races may be held over one day or several days. Single day races range between a few kilometers to more than 200. Depending on the distance, they may either comprise a continuous stretch or several laps in a circuit. Sometimes, both are combined. Ultra marathons are races that last several days and consist of a number of a single stage.
During competitions several techniques may be employed in order to gain advantage over opponents. Drafting is a common one. In drafting one rider leads the rest and does most of the work of overcoming the resistance. Other riders arrange themselves in a single file behind the leader and are able to save a lot in energy. Teams may have one of their own do this until they reach a point in the race where other team mates can take over and win. Breaking away is another popular tactic. Here, a group of riders accelerate and separate from the rest. They co-operate the rest of the way only to compete amongst themselves towards the end.
When the course consists of numerous climbs and tough descents, road cycling becomes very interesting. In competitions such courses are more selective than uniformly flat ones. Professional cyclists often break away during the climbs so that they can widen the gap during the descents.
There are various types of bicycles that can be used including touring, BMX and recumbent. The best types will have multiple gears and drop handlebars. Handlebars are placed a little lower than the saddle to give the rider a better aerodynamic position. Tires are usually narrow to exert high pressure and to decrease rolling resistance. Overall they are lighter than ordinary bicycles.
Mountain bikes are a popular choice for many cyclists. Most have slick tires which help them to achieve great speeds. They allow the rider to assume an upright position which gives them a better view of oncoming traffic. While they may not be the most efficient for racing, for example, they can be fitted with several accessories such as cargo racks and mudguards.
Cyclists should know that they are subject to the same traffic rules as any other road user. Caution is very important for riders as it helps avoid unnecessary accidents. Due to the difficulty in visualizing riders on the road, the general advice is that they should put on bright, reflective clothing that makes them easily noticeable.
As a sport, the race is held on regular roads or those that are specially paved. Except for the handicap races, riders usually start simultaneously. The first rider to get to the finish line at the end of the course is declared the winner. Individual and team trials are other kinds of races that exist. On an international scale, major races include, the Olympics, world cycling championships and the commonwealth games among others.
Races may be held over one day or several days. Single day races range between a few kilometers to more than 200. Depending on the distance, they may either comprise a continuous stretch or several laps in a circuit. Sometimes, both are combined. Ultra marathons are races that last several days and consist of a number of a single stage.
During competitions several techniques may be employed in order to gain advantage over opponents. Drafting is a common one. In drafting one rider leads the rest and does most of the work of overcoming the resistance. Other riders arrange themselves in a single file behind the leader and are able to save a lot in energy. Teams may have one of their own do this until they reach a point in the race where other team mates can take over and win. Breaking away is another popular tactic. Here, a group of riders accelerate and separate from the rest. They co-operate the rest of the way only to compete amongst themselves towards the end.
When the course consists of numerous climbs and tough descents, road cycling becomes very interesting. In competitions such courses are more selective than uniformly flat ones. Professional cyclists often break away during the climbs so that they can widen the gap during the descents.
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