Evolution of Cycling as an Olympic Sport
February 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Cycling has been part of the Olympic Games since the first modern Olympics in 1896. There were less than two hundred and fifty athletes at these games, which featured nine disciplines - shooting, cycling, fencing, tennis, wrestling, weight lifting, gymnatics, athletics and swimming. The first modern games were held in Greece, and six cycling events were held, including the sprint, road race, time trial, ten km race, 100 km race, and twelve hour race.
There are a lot more cycling events in the modern games, including BMX, road races, track racing, sprints, cross country and more. Let's take a look at some of these cycling events and how they're integrated into the games of today. Their history can be very interesting to modern enthusiasts.
BMX
BMX racing, or Bicycle Moto Cross, is a relatively new cycling sport. It got started in California in the late 1960s, about the time that regular motocross was becoming a popular sport. The sport has only been included in the Olympic Games recently, with the International Olympic Committee deciding to include it in the 2008 Bejing Games as of 2003. BMX races in the Olympics are held on 350 meter tracks with obstacles like banked corners and jumps. Eight riders compete in each heat, and the top four in each qualify for the next round.
Road Racing
Bicycle racing in this form has been around since the first bicycle was given pedals. This sport was held at the first modern Olypics in 1896, on a marathon course. Riders completed two laps to cover eighty-seven kilometers total. Over the years, new developments were put into place, but it was a surprising ninety-eight years before women were allowed to compete in cycle races. Twelve years later, time trials were introduced at the 1996 games in Atlanta.
The Olympic bicycle road racing program is now made up of the men's and women's road races and time trials. They begin with mass starts, with men racing over a distance of 239 km and women over 120 km. Time trials are raced to get the most distance in a set time. Riders start at ninety second intervals, and women race over 31.2 km, with men racing over 46.8.
Track Cycling
This type of race is less familiar to most of us, with riders going around an oval track with a bank of forty two degrees. This is also called velodrome racing, and cyclists in this type of race wear unusual helmets and suits, and ride machines that look nearly futuristic. These bikes have poor maneuverability, but excellent speed, despite their looks. Spokeless disc wheels have been in use since the 1984 games, and in 1992, a bike weighing less than nine kilograms broke world speed records.
A new range of races was added in 2000, with women competing in a 500 meter time trial and men adding the Olympic sprint, Madison, and keirin. The entire track cycling program includes team and individual events, endurance races, sprints, time trials, pursuits and standard first over the finish line races.
Mountain Biking
Olympic mountain biking is also a relative newcomer - around only since 1996. This sport was only about forty years old at the time. Cross country riding uses a hilly and sometimes truly mountainous course on natural terrain, with riders needing to navigate over or around streams, trees, rocks and branches. Races for men are 40-50 km, and for women 30-40 km. Distances are decided the evening before the race, with officials deciding based on weather conditions and allowed times.
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Cycling as a Healthy Family Activity
February 13, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
It might seem like you have to give up on your family life, with the pace of today's world. However, even if work is taking up lots of time, and other activities keep creeping in, there are other options. Many people forget to take time with their families, but remembering to do it in your life can make a real difference in how happy and stress free you are.
That means that it's time to start putting fun time with your family first. One way to do that is to spend some time exercising with your family. Weekends are a great time to do this, and family cycling outings are the perfect way to do it. Physical activity is good for all of us, and most of us aren't getting enough of it. Getting some exercise and teaching your kids that activity really is important and fun are great things to do while spending some time together.
Anyone can go on a cycling trip, from grownups to small children. Kids too small to ride on their own can be strapped into a baby seat on the back of a bicycle to enjoy the ride. As kids grow up, they can use training wheels to learn to ride on their own, then graduate to regular bicycles. Everyone can have fun riding bicycles together, no matter where they are. Family cycling outings in the country are best, but you can also ride at home or on secluded streets near your home.
Your children will enjoy exercising with you, develop a new skill, and gain more self confidence when they realize that this is something they can do well. Starting early teaches your kids that exercise isn't something that's just done for looks, or another kind of work - it's fun, instead. Cycling together can by a great way to get in that family bonding that's so hard to find time for. You can even ride tandem cycles with your kids or your spouse - this is a fun way to take a ride and enjoy teamwork, too.
Always remember to wear safety equipment like a helmet when you ride together, and make sure your children know that a helmet is a must if they're going to go cycling. This will help make the outing a fun but safe one, and will help you avoid accidents.
Teach the rules of the road, and make sure your children learn how to signal and what the correct behavior of a cyclist is on the road. You should all be aware that cars don't always follow the rules, either. Make sure you're on the lookout for traffic if you ride on the pavement, whether in the city or in the country.
With just a little planning, cycling can be the perfect activity for any family, no matter how old or young any of the cyclists are. Adults can learn to ride, no matter how old they are, and children will enjoy this activity as well. Start your kids out right with physical fitness - go riding together as a family and enjoy cycling.
Tags: aerobics, bicycle, bicycle fitness, Cycling, cycling exercise, exercise, family activities, fitnessRelated posts
Major Brands of Racing Bicycles
There are nearly as many makers of road bikes as there are people who ride them, with major manufacturers includeing Giant, Cannondale, Le Mond, Trek, Bianchi, Specialized and more. If you're buying a new bike, look for a quality one that's well fitted to you, and don't cut corners. A clunky frame or ill fitted bike will only make you unhappy. Here are some of the basics on racing bicycles and their makers.
Racing or road bicycles are designed specifically for cycling on the road. They're built to be light weight and efficient, and to provide the best aerodynamics and ergonomics. This does mean that some racing bikes are more efficient than comfortable, with personal comfort sacrificed for speed. Drop handlebars should be located below the saddle, front and back wheels relatively close together, and gear ratios closely spaced to allow you to choose your preferred pedaling cadence.
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Other bicycles that you might see, but which aren't road bikes, are track bicycles, mountain bikes, cycle speedway bicycles, cyclocross bikes, hybrids, and others. Recumbant bikes are the fastest in the world on flat ground, but are excluded from the definition of road bicycles. Time trial bicycles are a subset of racing bikes, and triathlon bicycles are made for racers in triathlons, where time on and off the bicycle is just as important as the speed of the bicycle during a race.?
The quality of the wheels can greatly affect the performance of a racing bike, no matter what brand it is. Rims shaped to be more aerodynamic will be faster, but may produce drag on hills. Tires are usually narrow, to provide the least rolling resistance. Fewer spokes make for a faster but less strong wheel, but unusual spoke layouts and exotic materials may fix this problem. However, these race grade wheels are extremely expensive, causing professional racers to own less expensive ones for training.
There are several grades of racing bicycle manufacturers, varying in quality and price. For bicycles under a thousand dollars, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, and others. Each of these manufacturers make higher quality, more expensive bicycles. Bianchi, Colnago, Cervelo, and other high end bicycle manufacturers are there for those who truly want the best in racing bikes. However, these high performance machines are out of the price range of most beginning racers and road bike riders.
No matter what brand of racing bicyle you're looking for, it's important to make sure you get one that's put together well and suited for the kind of cycling you intend to do. Find a bike that will perform well under the conditions in which you're planning to ride it, and always make sure it's fitted correctly to your body. These factors are the most important for any rider, not simply price or brand name.
Tags: bicycle, bicycle race, cannondale road bikes, Cycling, giant road bikes, racing bicycles, racing bikes, Road BikesRelated posts
Tips on How to Avoid Cycling Injuries
February 9, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Cycling is one of the best types of exercise you can get involved in. It works for people of all ages and physical fitness lavels, and it's relatively affordable, though it can get expensive if you let it. Whether you're an enthusiast or just a casual rider, there are some dangers to cycling. If you take care and pay attention to a few things, however, you can avoid some of the most common cycling injuries.
1. Be sure to brake correctly. On a bike with lever brakes, place your hands on the ends of the levers and brake with the rear wheel first, not the front. This will prevent the bike from tipping and throwing you.
2. Don't stand on or hold down your brakes when going downhill for long periods. This could overheat the rims or the brakes, causing a failure or tire blowout. Instead, consider tapping the brakes lightly when you need to slow down.
3. Avoid long term pedaling in high gear. The gears are there for a reason, and high gears increase pressure on your knees. Knee injuries are a big deal, and it's important to avoid them!
4. Make sure you have a comfortable handle bar position for your bike. On most racing bikes, this is about three quarters of an inch lower than the seat top. However, some classic bikes have higher handlebars and should be ridden in a more upright position. Find the one that's comfortable for you and easier on your body.
5. Make sure you frequently change positions to avoid stiffness and muscle cramps.
6. Your arms and elbows should be loose. Bend your elbows so that any bumps are absorbed by the position. If you lock them, the strain will go straight to the joint and could cause a lot more damage.
7. Wear the right safety gear. That means a helmet, and possibly reflective vests or tape to make sure you're visible at night.
8. Make sure your bike is sized correctly to your body. Most people are riding bikes that are too small. A larger one can take some getting used to, but it's worth it in the long run.
9. Check pedal resistance. An experienced cyclist in good shape generally pedals at ninety to one hundred rpm. However, this is more than is generally expected from a beginner. Sixty to eighty revolutions indicates you have an acceptable resistance.
10. Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluid will keep you from developing muscle cramps. That means consuming four to eight ounces of water or a sports drink every quarter to third of an hour you ride.
11. Listen to your body. The pain of exhaustion is a different pain from that of injury. If something feels wrong, don't just try to ride through it. Stop what you're doing, see a doctor, and find out how to avoid repeating or aggravating the injury. Cycling is a great way to get and stay in shape, but you have to do it correctly!
Tags: bicycle injuries, bicycle safety, Cycling, cycling injuries, Road BikesRelated posts
Aerobic Benefits of Cycling
February 9, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Many fitness experts will tell you that cycling is one of the best types of exercise you can to. Bicycles can be extremely inexpensive, and they're great tools for people who are fitness conscious to use to keep themselves healthy and in good shape. These versatile machines help us minimize body stress and increase the efficiency of our exercise.
Most people in the US choose not to use cycling as a recreational activity or form of exercise, despite the publicity surrounding professional cyclists. The bicycle has been around for a long time, but cars and motorcycles have been more popular for many years. However, as we become more aware of the downsides of these vehicles, more people are turning to the bicycle for basic use and for fitness.
Cycling offers a large number of benefits to the body, giving us fast workouts that offer plenty of muscle development in the thighs, calf, and pelvis. It helps us remove fat from our bodies over all and build muscle in the lower body, even removing cellulite in some cases. Cycling also helps with development of the abdominal muscles to some degree. It offers less stress on the ankles and knees than aerobics or running, and is easier to do.
However, that doesn't mean there aren't a few dangers to cycling. If you suffer from existing joint problems and injuries, or if you have arthritis, you may want to try a different exercise, such as swimming. Remember that you could strain the back if you cycle incorrectly. Look for a bike that fits you well and will treat you body in the best way possible to get the most benefit and avoid injury.
Cycling helps you burn fat and reduce the chance of diseases related to poor physical fitness, including high blood pressure and heart disease. This sport helps your blood circulate through your body more efficiently, keeping your entire body oxygenated. When you start breathing heavily after riding your bicycle, it's because you're taking in more oxygen. If more aerobic exercise is what you're looking for, you should hop on a bike!
In addition to its aerobic benefits, you may find that cycling is just what you need to cut down on stress and anxiety. After all, exercise has been proven to help reduce anxiety - after a long, stressful day, some activity is just what our muscles need to help us let it all out. Consider a leisurely ride through attractive areas to help you feel more at peace and release all the tension you've been carrying around.
Indoor exercise bikes are a good secondary choice if your area or schedule won't permit you to ride outdoors, but you'll be missing out on the fresh air and scenery, so try an outdoor ride first! Cycling could be the fitness activity that you and your body have been waiting for, so get out there and enjoy the many aerobic benefits of riding your bicycle.
Tags: aerobics, bicycle fitness, Cycling, cycling exercise, exercise, fitness
