Competitive cycling includes several modalities.
Cycling is the sport that takes place on a bicycle . According to its characteristics, there are different modalities or specialties of cycling.
The discipline that consists of trying to cover a certain distance in the shortest possible time is known as competitive cycling . The cyclist who arrives first is the winner of the competition.
Types of competitive cycling
When competitive cycling takes place in structures known as velodromes , it is referred to as track cycling . The velodrome consists of a circuit that currently measures 250 meters and is oval-shaped.
Road cycling , also called road cycling , is done on asphalt . As its name indicates, athletes must travel a certain number of kilometers on roads or routes. The Tour de France and the Vuelta a España are major road cycling events.
If competitive cycling is done in mountainous areas, the modality is called mountain biking . The most common competitions of this type are cross country , which include uphills and downhills.
In recent years, on the other hand, the cycling specialty called BMX has become popular, which can be developed as a race or freestyle (freestyle, which consists of performing tricks or pirouettes with the bicycle).
Urban cycling and cycle tourism invite you to travel by bicycle.
Cycle tourism and the bicycle as a means of transportation
It should be noted that cycling is not always competitive. People who use bicycles as a means of transportation or for physical exercise engage in cycle tourism or urban cycling . In many cities this type of cycling is promoted to minimize the use of polluting vehicles.
Large cities, as well as those that aspire to significant development, are increasingly trying to promote the use of bicycles as a means of transportation instead of motor vehicles. Concern for the environment has grown considerably in recent decades, and this affects almost all the activities we carry out in modern life, especially transportation.
Benefits of cycling
Cycling, in all its aspects, is an activity that can offer many benefits to human beings, from muscle development to cultural exchange with people from all over the world, something it has in common with sports like soccer: languages do not They are necessary when there is a physical activity involved, which connects us with our nature and with the world around us.
The reasons why people lean towards cycling are many: on the one hand there are those who feel the need to challenge themselves at a competitive level, and that is why they opt for professional modalities; But there are also many people who choose cycling to de-stress, to get closer to nature and stay in shape, without pressure.
Proper preparation and good posture
In any case, before embarking on cycling it is necessary to take into account certain issues regarding materials and physical preparation , among others. The first step is to choose the right bicycle for you and for the type of cycling you want to do; If we do not have technical knowledge, it is good to talk to many experts, compare their opinions and take some time to think before deciding to buy it.
Posture is another of the fundamental points so that cycling does not become a source of pain and contractures. Although this must be learned by imitation and with in-person instructions, the basics are to touch the pedal with the metatarsal, place the knees parallel to the bicycle frame and avoid any position of the neck that causes discomfort. Furthermore, to control the time we spend on the bicycle, it is advisable to plot the routes beforehand.