Cycling: Difference between revisions

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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

Getting started

Road bicycles range in price from a fifty dollars to thousands of dollars depending mostly on the weight. The lightest bikes weigh around 15 lbs and are the most expensive. For most, a good starting bike would be in the range of 18-22 lbs and would cost just under $1000. Common bike manufacturers for most skill levels include Trek, Cannondale, Giant, Lemond, Specialized, Klein, Bianchi, and Fuji.

Being sized for a bike and taking it for a test ride are both recommended before making a purchase. Most road bikes include clipless pedals in which special shoes attach to special pedals, which allows for the transfer of power to the bike throughout the entire pedaling motion.

The drive-train components of the bike should also be considered. A middle grade derailleur is most likely sufficient for a beginner. Also, unless a lot of seriou climbing will be done, a double crank from gear system will suffice in place of a triple crank system.

Biking assessories that most consider essential include a helmet, cylcing shorts (with pad), cycling shoes, spare tubes, CO2 cartridges or a portable tire pump, water bottle and water bottle cage and tire levers.

Items that can be purchased later or omitted include gloves, full sized tire pump, multi-tool, bicycle computer and degreaser.

Cycling is a reasonably low maintenance hobby/sport and the beginner can learn much from bike shop personel. Many bike shops even hold complimentary maintenance classes.

Organized rides and races

Many cycling clubs hold organized rides and races varying that bicyclists of all types compete in. 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 practices.

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.

References

Template:Web reference full

External links

Biciclopedia.com's Cycling News
cyclingnews.com
dailypeloton.com
Rec.Bicycles Frequently Asked Questions Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Cycling @ Active.com

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 '''Cycling''' is a [[recreation]], a [[sport]], and a means of [[transport]] across land. It involves riding [[bicycle]]s, [[unicycle]]s, [[tricycle]]s, and other [[human powered vehicle]]s (HPVs). As a sport it is governed internationally by the [[Union Cycliste Internationale]] in [[Switzerland]] (for [[upright bicycle]]s) 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 [http://www.velomondial.org  Velo Mondial]
+==Getting started==
+[[Road bicycle]]s range in price from a fifty dollars to thousands of dollars depending mostly on the weight. The lightest bikes weigh around 15 lbs and are the most expensive.  For most, a good starting bike would be in the range of 18-22 lbs and would cost just under $1000.  Common bike manufacturers for most skill levels include [[Trek Bicycle Corporation | Trek]], [[Cannondale]], [[Giant Bicycles | Giant]], [http://www.lemondbikes.com Lemond], [[Specialized Bicycles | Specialized]], [http://www.kleinbikes.com/ Klein], [[Bianchi (bicycle manufacturers) | Bianchi]], and [http://www.fujibikes.com/ Fuji].
+Being sized for a bike and taking it for a test ride are both recommended before making a purchase.  Most road bikes include [[clipless pedal]]s in which special shoes attach to special pedals, which allows for the transfer of power to the bike throughout the entire pedaling motion.
+The [[drive-train]] components of the bike should also be considered.  A middle grade [[derailleur]] is most likely sufficient for a beginner.  Also, unless a lot of seriou climbing will be done, a double crank from gear system will suffice in place of a triple crank system.
+Biking assessories that most consider essential include a [[helmet]], [[cylcing shorts]] (with pad), cycling shoes, spare tubes, CO2 cartridges or a portable tire pump, water bottle and water bottle cage and tire levers.
+Items that can be purchased later or omitted include [[glove]]s, full sized tire pump, multi-tool, [[bicycle computer]] and [[degreaser]].
+Cycling is a reasonably low maintenance hobby/sport and the beginner can learn much from bike shop personel.  Many bike shops even hold complimentary maintenance classes.
+==Organized rides and races==
+Many cycling clubs hold organized rides and races varying that bicyclists of all types compete in.  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 (racing)|drafting]] practices.
+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.
+==References==
+*{{Web reference_full | Author=Ryan Kistner | Title=Cycling: A Quick Start on the Right Path | Publisher=OmniNerd | PublishYear=May 19, 2005 | Work=OmniNerd.com | URL=http://www.omninerd.com/articles/articles.php?aid=30 | Date=August 7 | Year=2005}}
 ==See also==
@@ Line 43: / Line 64: @@
 *[http://www.dailypeloton.com dailypeloton.com]
 *Rec.Bicycles Frequently Asked Questions Parts: [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part1/index.html 1],  [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part2/index.html 2], [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part3/index.html 3], [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part4/index.html 4], [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part5/index.html 5]
+*[http://www.active.com/cycling/ Cycling @ Active.com]
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