| The inspiring story of Lance Armstrong's | | | | appropriate to hilly terrain are used for |
| determined struggle against cancer and his | | | | these forms of cycling. By contrast, road |
| triumphant return to professional cycling has | | | | cyclists use bikes with a more aggressive |
| touched hundreds of thousands of people | | | | geometry that permit attainment of greater |
| across the world. His seven straight wins in | | | | speed. |
| the world's greatest cycling race, the Tour | | | | |
| de France, has surely helped cycling's | | | | In an increasingly environmentally conscious |
| profile. | | | | world, many people choose to commute by |
| | | | bicycle. A hybrid bike, which marries |
| But what is it about the sport of cycling | | | | features of a road and mountain bike, is |
| that is so attractive? | | | | ideal for this purpose. |
| | | | |
| In part, the partnership of man and machine | | | | Cycling is an excellent form of |
| has a distinct attraction. The modern-day | | | | cardiovascular exercise, meaning that you can |
| bicycle, with cranks and pedals, was invented | | | | improve your aerobic fitness and endurance by |
| in the 1860s with the first bicycle race | | | | undertaking the activity. Regular cycling can |
| thought to have been conducted at the Parc de | | | | also help you to lose weight. The sport of |
| Saint-Cloud in Paris in 1868. | | | | cycling is essentially non weight-bearing, |
| | | | meaning that your joints are spared the |
| Man's desire to cross a variety of terrain | | | | repetitive impact of sports such as running. |
| and desire to ride faster has driven the | | | | If you have sustained a musculoskeletal |
| evolution of bicycles. The predecessors of | | | | injury cycling is an excellent way of |
| the sleek, light-weight carbon bikes used in | | | | attaining a workout without causing further |
| modern professional racing are steel-framed, | | | | damage. |
| welded and by comparison unwieldy machines. | | | | |
| | | | Riding a bicycle does require a certain |
| For professional cyclists the difference | | | | degree of balance and skill, much of which |
| between winning and losing a race may be a | | | | though many of us acquire as children. |
| matter of a split second and the cutting edge | | | | |
| technology of cycoe development demonstrates | | | | Aside from the health benefits of cycling, |
| this. | | | | many people find that it is a great social |
| | | | activity. Clubs and groups are regularly |
| Of course, not everyone who takes up cycling | | | | found in many areas promoting the sport for |
| wants to compete at the elite level. Cycling | | | | enjoyment and fitness and regularly stopping |
| is a sport attractive to people in of walks | | | | off for a coffee and chat afterwards. |
| of life and which is certainly not confined | | | | |
| to road racing. | | | | So if you have a desire to be the master of |
| | | | your own machineand to get fit and with the |
| Mountain bike riding is exceptionally | | | | aid of the increase in promotion of cycling |
| popular, as is cyclo-cross riding. Bikes with | | | | as a great contribution to the environment, |
| sturdy tyres, flat handle bars and gearing | | | | cycling could be the sport for you. |