Article: Cycling

This road bicycle is built using lightweight, shaped aluminium tubing and carbon fiber stays and forks. It has a drop handlebar and narrow tires and wheels for efficiency and aerodynamics.

Cycling is a recreation, a sport and a means of transport across land. It involves riding bicycles, unicycles, tricycles and other human powered vehicles (HPVs). As a sport it is governed internationally by the Union Cycliste Internationale in Switzerland (for upright bicycles) and by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association (for other HPVs). Cycling for transport and touring is promoted on a European level by the European Cyclists' Federation, and regular conferences are held under the auspices of Velo City, whereas global conferences are coordinated by Velo Mondial.

Introduction

The most common vehicle used for transportation in the world is a utility bicycle. It is also the most common type of cycling as a result. Utility bicycles tend to have a more relaxed geometry, with priority given to the rider's comfort. Most come with components that make commuting by bicycle more practical, like fenders (also called mudguards in some English speaking regions), racks, chainguard, kickstands, bells and generator light systems.

The two most popular types of bicycle in North America, where cycling for recreation is more common, are mountain bikes and road bicycles. They tend to have a more aggressive geometry where the rider's back has to bend forward. To save weight, they are usually sold stripped down of all the practical components found on utility bicycles.

Most bicycles range in price from US$50 - $10,000+ or more depending mostly on weight, quality and type of bicycle. In the case of road bicycles, the lightest bikes weigh around 6 kg (13 lb) and are the most expensive.

Getting started

Dutch utility bicycle featuring rear internal hub brake, chaincase and mudguards, kickstand for parking, permanently attached dynamo-powered lamps and upswept handlebars for a more natural grip position.

Being sized for a bike and taking it for a test ride are both recommended before making a purchase. Many road bikes include clipless pedals in which special shoes attach via a cleat mechanism to special pedals, which allows for the transfer of power to the bike throughout the entire pedaling motion. Winter cycling also requires lights, cycling gloves, a waterproof jacket and/or overtrousers and possibly waterproof overshoes.

The drivetrain components of the bike should also be considered. A middle grade derailleur is most likely sufficient for a beginner, although many utility bikes come equipped with hub gears. If the rider plans a significant amount of hill climbing, a triple-crank (three chainrings) front gear system may be preferred. Otherwise, the relatively less expensive and lighter double-crank (two chainrings) system may suffice.

There is a wide variety of accessories that can be purchased together with or after the bicycle itself. These include locks, mudguards/fenders, luggage racks and pannier bags, pumps, cycling shorts, pantleg clips, cycling shoes, cycling gloves, spare inner tubes, CO₂ cartridges, water bottles and water bottle cages, puncture repair kits and tyre levers, bicycle computers, studded tires and Bananna cases.

Items legally mandatory in some jurisdictions for safety reasons include: bicycle helmets, lighting and audible signalling devices (such as a bell or horn).

Learning to cycle

Learning to ride efficiently and safely in traffic is important for anyone who chooses to travel the public ways by bicycle. While most cyclists act like pedestrians who just happen to be on wheels, some cyclists have learned to operate their pedal vehicles vehicularly (i.e., by the rules of the road for vehicles). In the United Kingdom, most primary school children are given the opportunity to take the Cycling Proficiency Test, the intent of which is to help them travel more safely on the road.

Organized rides and races

Many cycling clubs hold organized rides and varying races in which bicyclists of all levels compete. The typical organized race/ride starts with a large group of riders. This will thin out over the course of the ride. Many riders choose to ride together in groups of the same skill level to take advantage of drafting.

Most organized rides include registration requirements and will provide information either through the mail or online concerning start times and other requirements. Rides usually consist of 25, 50 and 100 mile routes, each with a certain number of rest stops that usually include refreshments, first aid and maintenance tools.

Bicycling and health

Bicycles are commonly used by people seeking to improve their fitness and cardiovascular health. In this regard, bicycling is especially helpful for those with arthritis of the lower limbs and who are unable to pursue sports such as running that involve more impact to joints such as the knees.

Cycling while seated is a relatively non-weight bearing exercise that, like swimming, does little to promote leg bone strength. Cycling up and out of the saddle, on the other hand, does a better job by transferring more of the rider's body weight to the legs.

Endurance cycling is an Aerobic exercise, Sprint Cycling is an Anaerobic exercise, however both types involve both forms of exercise to some degree and can improve cardiovascular health, a measure of cardiovascular health is Vo2 max.

Cycling makes use of the largest muscles in the body (the Gluteus Maximus and Quadriceps) so it is good for people who are trying to lose body fat. Exercising at low intensity is better for people who want to lose weight as the body doesn't have the chance to burn fat at high work rates and will burn glycogen instead (although the body will replace the burnt glycogen by metabolising body fat as soon as it can - see Krebs_Cycle).

It has been estimated that, on average, approximately 20 life-years are gained from the health benefits of road bicycling for every life-year lost through injury ^[1].

Injuries can be divided into 2 types:

• Physical trauma (extrinsic)
• overuse (intrinsic).

Acute physical trauma includes injuries to the head and extremities resulting from falls and collisions.

Overuse injuries, including chronic nerve damage at weight bearing locations, can occur as a result of repeatedly riding a bicycle for extended periods of time. Damage to the ulnar nerve in the palm, the genitourinary tract ^[2] or bicycle seat neuropathy ^[3] may result from overuse. In extreme cases, Pudendal Nerve Entrapment can be a source of intractable perineal pain ^[4]. Some bicyclists with induced pudendal nerve pressure neuropathy gained relief from improvements in saddle position and riding techniques ^[5].

Notes

1. ^ British Medical Association; Mayhew Hillman, David Morgan [1992]. Cycling: Towards Health and Safety. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192861514.
2. ^ Eur Urol., Bicycling related urogenital disorders. 2005 Mar;47(3):277-86 (PMID 15716187)
3. ^ "Bicycle Seat Neuropathy, follow up", eMedicine, February 8, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-03-20.
4. ^ Am J Phys Med Rehabil., Pudendal nerve entrapment as source of intractable perineal pain. 2003 Jun;82(6):479-84. (PMID 12820792)
5. ^ Clin Exp Neurol., Bicycling induced pudendal nerve pressure neuropathy. 1991;28:191-6. (PMID 1821826)

See also

Cycling Portal

Utility cycling and slow recreation

• Bicycle touring
• Bicycle transportation engineering
• Green transport
• List of cycleways
• Segregated cycle facilities
• Utility cycling

General

• Bicycle
• Bicycle culture
• Clothing-optional bike rides
• Cyclist
• Challenge riding
• Folding bicycle
• Road cycling
• Vehicular cycling

Sports-related cycling and fast-paced recreation

• Bike trials riding
• Bicycle racing
• BMX racing
• Bike derby
• Cycle speedway
• Cyclo-cross
• Mountain biking
• Offroad cycling
• Road bicycle racing
• Spin-class
• Track cycling
• Triathlon

Other

• Aerobic exercise
• Heart rate monitor