Monday, 29 August 2011

Read On To Discover About The Origin And Different Classes Of Cycling

By Stewart James


One of the popular sports activities that is great for our body is cycling. Mainly an aerobic activity that is great for the heart and lungs, this sport can either be a competitive activity or simply a pastime. Various categories are also included in this sport and various gears such as cycling helmets and elbow and hand pads are necessary when practicing this kind of sport.

The history of cycling dates back in the 1800s when a man named Karl Drais developed the first actual bicycle. Drais developed the first bicycle in 1817 based on the first human powered vehicle invented by Giovanni Fontana. The said invention is also said to be a response to the back then widespread starvation and slaughtering of horses in the region. By the year 1890, a bicycle made of strong metal but at the same time light and small enough for human power was developed. This type of bike was said to be safer compared to its predecessors and thus started the mass production of bicycles. The mass production of the bicycle increased the machines popularity and demand especially for businesses and leisure. Other items associated with cycling such as the cycling helmet also became popular and in demand due to the rise in demand of bicycles.

The four general categories of cycling are off-road, on-road, cyclo-cross, and BMX or stunt riding. Off-road, also popularly known as mountain biking is a type of cycling that generally uses mountain bikes. This category of cycling was made popular in 1970 when mountain bikes were introduced. These bikes were said to perform optimally on rough terrain are made to handle the rigors and stresses of large obstacles and uneven terrain. The boundaries of this category of cycling were further pushed with the mountain bikes' rapid-shift gears, drum brakes, and suspension.

On-road biking, on the other hand, is a cycling category that ranges from commuting and fitness to multistage tour racing focuses on speed and distance. On-road cycling also involves the use of specially designed road equipment. Next is cyclo-riding, a category of cycling that is a hybrid of mountain biking and on-road racing. In this category, participants ride in groups over unpaved and obstacle heavy off-road course that slow down the overall pace of rider, yet adding new challenges. Finally is the BMX or stunt riding. This cycling category does not focus on speed or distance, rather, it uses pieces of equipment designed for stunts. Popularized in the early 1970s, BMX cycling is popular among youngsters seeking the excitement and energy of motocross. This sport has also been included in the Olympic Games since 2008.

Cycling as was abovementioned is also good for the body. It is an aerobic activity that is good for the lungs and the heart-which are the organs that help form the basis of general fitness. As such, a great way of incorporating regular exercise into one's busy day is through cycling to work, university or college, or taking your bike on short neighborhood trips. Nevertheless, it is a must that safety gears such as cycling helmets are always worn when performing this activity.

Cycling is definitely a sport worth knowing. It can be enjoyed as part of leisure time and at the same time act as part of ones daily exercise or take it seriously and become a full time cyclist. Do not forget to always wear safety gears such as cycling helmets in order to fully enjoy the benefits of the said sport.




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