Cycling: Difference between revisions
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==Sport cycling== | ==Sport cycling== | ||
There are three main branches to the sport of cycle racing: track cycling, road racing, and off-road racing. They differ in the types of racing involved, the nature of the race courses, and in the equipment used. | |||
===Track cycling=== | |||
Track cycling was of the earliest forms of cycle racing. In the 1890s and the first decades of the 20th century, it was extremely popular both in the United States and in Europe. | |||
This form of racing takes place in a special type of stadium known as a [[velodrome]]. The velodrome can be constructed either indorrs or outdoors. It consists of an oval circuit up to 1/4 of a mile in length with either a concrete or wooden surface. | |||
The bicycle used in track cycling is a specially stripped down version of a regular bicycle in that it has no brakes and uses a fixed gear. | |||
===Road racing=== | |||
Road cycling is called thusly because it normally takes place on ordinary surface roads or streets. Within the rubric of road cycle racing there are several forms: time trials, stage races, sprints, circuit races, and criteriums. | |||
The stage race is perhaps the most well-known form of road cycle racing, having gained widespread popularity and recognition through races such as the Tour de France. The stage race can include various of the other types of races. It is a team sport in that the racers are part of a team of riders whose main objective is to assist their team leader in posting the lowest elapsed time for the duration of the race. | |||
===Off-road racing=== | |||
==Recreational cycling== | ==Recreational cycling== | ||
Revision as of 14:48, 21 January 2008
Cycling is the sport, recreational activity and means of transportation of riding a bicycle. Since the creation of the first practical bicycles in the early 1800s, cycling has grown to the point that each year roughly 100 million bicycles are produced worldwide.[1]
History
Sport cycling
There are three main branches to the sport of cycle racing: track cycling, road racing, and off-road racing. They differ in the types of racing involved, the nature of the race courses, and in the equipment used.
Track cycling
Track cycling was of the earliest forms of cycle racing. In the 1890s and the first decades of the 20th century, it was extremely popular both in the United States and in Europe.
This form of racing takes place in a special type of stadium known as a velodrome. The velodrome can be constructed either indorrs or outdoors. It consists of an oval circuit up to 1/4 of a mile in length with either a concrete or wooden surface.
The bicycle used in track cycling is a specially stripped down version of a regular bicycle in that it has no brakes and uses a fixed gear.
Road racing
Road cycling is called thusly because it normally takes place on ordinary surface roads or streets. Within the rubric of road cycle racing there are several forms: time trials, stage races, sprints, circuit races, and criteriums.
The stage race is perhaps the most well-known form of road cycle racing, having gained widespread popularity and recognition through races such as the Tour de France. The stage race can include various of the other types of races. It is a team sport in that the racers are part of a team of riders whose main objective is to assist their team leader in posting the lowest elapsed time for the duration of the race.