CYCLING
CYCLING
- TIME TRIALS
CYCLING
- CYCLO-CROSS
CYCLING
- CYCLE SPEEDWAY
CYCLING
- TOURING
Background
Almost everyone can ride a bike and it's only a small step to start to
build your fitness and endurance. Cycling is a sport the whole family
can participate in together, whether they are cycling for pleasure or
competing at the highest level.
History
Cycle racing is now over a century old, with Road and Track events making
the news before the first world war. In the last twenty years, the arrival
of BMX and Mountain Biking has increased the popularity of cycling hugely.
Facilities and Equipment
Cycle racing can take place almost everywhere, from purpose built velodromes
(Track Racing) and BMX tracks, to the open roads (Road Racing) and countryside
(Mountain Biking). The different branches of the sport have their own
specialised bikes and clothing, but anyone can train and improve their
fitness on a relatively cheap mountain or road bike. Even when buying
a bike purely for leisure use, you should pay particular attention to
size and fit - visit a dealer who is prepared to spend time making the
machine comfortable for you.
Benefits of Participating
Cycling is a wonderful way to keep fit without damaging risk of injury.
Because it is non weight-bearing, cycling provides superb aerobic exercise
with minimal impact on joints.
Variations of the Sport
Road racing — from local events to the Tour de France, first over the
line wins
Track Racing — mixture of sprints and endurance events on banked tracks,
often indoors
Mountain Biking — Very similar to skiing, there’s Cross-country (endurance),
Downhill (speed against the clock) and Dual (head to head)
BMX — multi race meetings on short courses full of jumps and corners.
Contact Details
British Cycling Federation
National Cycling Centre
Stuart Street
Manchester
M11 4DQ
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CYCLING - TIME TRIALS
Background
Riders are set off at intervals of one minute and ride alone and unassisted.
You are not allowed to take pace from another competitor. The winner is
the person who covers the course in the fastest time.
History
Time trialling began more than 100 years ago when mass start events were
not allowed on the roads. The sport requires uniformity of competition
and in 1937 the Road Time Trials Council was formed in order to provide
this. Today there are more than 1,000 clubs throughout the country. Events
are usually over set distances of 10, 25, 50 and 100 miles. There are
also events over 12 and 24 hours duration. There are 14 National Championships
run annually including events for Juveniles and Juniors. Many of today's
Champion Cyclists started cycling as time triallist e.g. Olympic &
World Champion, Chris Boardman
Facilities & Equipment Required
You may ride a time trial on any road-worthy bicycle, including a mountain
bike. You are encouraged to wear a safety helmet and bright clothing so
that you can easily be seen. Baggy clothing will slow you down and may
interfere with bike control. Events take place on roads therefore no other
equipment is needed. You must be 12 years of age or older, and you will
require parental consent if under 18.
Benefits of Participating
You set your own standard and seek to beat your best time each time you
compete. There is no getting left behind by the main pack as you ride
alone. If you are not good at team games or running, time trialling will
provide you an alternative where you can improve at your own pace.
Variations
In some time trials, teams of two three or four riders pace each other.
In many events you are given a Handicap allowance to enable you to compete
on level terns with riders who are much faster than yourself.
Contact Details
Road Time Trials Council
Headquarters
77 Arlington Road
Pennington
Leigh
WN7 3QP
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CYCLING - CYCLO-CROSS
Background
Riders compete over successive laps of 2-3 km covering a variety of off-road
terrain. On some parts of the course there may be natural or artificial
obstacles where the rider may need to dismount and carry the bike.
Seniors race for around an hour of fast, intensive effort.
History
Cyclo-cross originated in France and Belgium in the 1920s, with the first
World Championship held in 1950. It's a winter discipline, and started
as off-season training for road cyclists before becoming a sport in its
own right. Today it has developed into a fast, dynamic sport at
World level, dominated by cyclo-cross specialists. In Britain there
is local competition in most areas every weekend during the season, with
national championships for under 16s, juniors under 23s, seniors, veterans
and women.
Facilities & Equipment Required
At international level specialist cyclo-cross bikes (similar to road racing
bikes) must be used, but in most British races any kind of bike is acceptable.
All riders are required to wear a safety helmet. Meetings take place
at a variety of venues, including country parks, farms, sports centres,
old quarries and playing fields. There are at least three races
at every meeting, including separate races for youth riders (12-15 years)
and under 12s.
Benefits of Participating
Cyclo-cross is renowned as the cheapest and easiest introduction to cycle
sport. The atmosphere for newcomers is informal and welcoming, and
riders are able to find competition regardless of their level of ability.
As a rider improves, the opportunity arises to graduate to local, regional,
national and international level races.
Variations
No two courses are the same, so riders must learn to expect a variety
of conditions, from flat, mostly rideable circuits to steep run-ups and
heavy mud. The only other variation is one of time, according to
age category: Approximately 30 minutes for youth, 40 minutes for juniors
(16-18) and veterans (40+) and 60 minutes for seniors.
Contact Details
British Cycling Federation
National Cycling Centre
Stuart Street
Manchester
M11 4DQ
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CYCLING - CYCLE SPEEDWAY
Background
Riders compete over 4 laps of an oval shale track, 65 – 80 metres in diameter.
Points are awarded over a series of heats, with four riders in each heat,
in a sprint to reach the chequered flag. Some physical contact is permitted,
and both team and individual events are staged.
History
Cycle speedway first developed in the late 1940s under the influence of
motorised speedway, and there are still many similarities between the
formats of the two sports.
Facilities & Equipment Required
There are around 40 active tracks and clubs around the country. Bikes
have narrow handlebars, no gears and no brakes. Many clubs have a supply
of cycle speedway bikes for newcomers.
Benefits of Participating
Cycle speedway is intensely competitive but also very sociable. Many of
the clubs are community based and act as a focus for local activities.
There are regional and national competitions for all age groups, from
under 8s through to veterans.
Variations
Inter-club competition is the mainstay of cycle speedway, but there are
also individual and pairs competitions. Indoor cycle speedway is sometimes
staged in the winter months.
Contact Details
British Cycling Federation
National Cycling Centre
Stuart Street
Manchester
M11 4DQ
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CYCLING - TOURING
Background
Touring by bike has always been a popular means of appreciating the countryside
and visiting new countries. The UK boasts an almost unparalleled network
of lanes and offroad routes which take cyclists to many of the most beautiful
and challenging areas with the added benefit of escaping the noise and
pollution of vehicles.
History
Organised touring has existed since 1878 and over time has diversified
to encompass self led expeditions and tours in the UK and abroad to a
multi million pound industry that caters for holidays and tours in the
UK and abroad that cater for all ages and abilities. Time has also seen
the development of competitive touring namely through the DATC which brings
the disciplines of hill climbing, long distance riding, offroading and
map reading as well as competitive placings together. The DATC is a national
competition which has age categories and has events organised locally.
Facilities & Equipment Required
Participation is permitted on any cycle and by any age.
Benefits of Participating
Cycle Touring allows for individual participation and competition whilst
taking part in a recreational activity and allows the all rounder to excel.
Contact Details
CTC – National Cyclists’ Organisation
69 Meadrow
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 3HS
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