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How would you like to start cycling? Congratulations! Cycling is a fabulous sport that comes in many varieties. A real health asset to keep in shape or evolve towards competition. Road cycling, mountain biking, gravel, track or triathlon, you will surely find your happiness.
What is road cycling?
The road cycling is a sport played on asphalt. Whether you're riding with others or solo, road biking is ideal for crossing the paved roads in your area. Taking up road biking means opening yourself up to a real sense of freedom! But it is also a demanding discipline when you are looking for performance.
The road cyclist's equipment
The practice of this type of cycling requires very specific equipment. Starting with the road bike. Did you think you were going to ride your good old bicycle on the pavement? Forget that idea quickly! If you've never seen a racing bike, you might be surprised... To progress quickly in road cycling, there is no other choice but to train. Yep, you're going to have to, as they say, eat up some miles. A formula that is certainly not very elegant, but that has the merit of summarizing the situation well. How about getting started with cycling? A quick tour of the most prestigious road cycling competitions is in order: While road cyclists hunt for smooth, unblemished asphalt roads, mountain bikers flee from paved roads in search of rugged terrain, deep in the wilderness. In the forest, in the mountains or in the countryside, mountain biking is a particularly accessible sport for outdoor fun. Ready to know all about mountain biking? Here we go! Before you get on your mountain bike for the first time, take the time to learn about the different practices associated with mountain biking. To practice mountain biking, you'll need a bike that is adapted to the discipline you want to discover. Generally speaking, your mountain bike will have the following features: Just like road biking, you will need training to tame the rough trails! Halfway between road bike and mountain bike, discover the gravel bike! Gravel is a sport freshly landed in France that has more and more followers. The principle is simple: the discipline combines the capabilities of a road bike with those of a mountain bike. With a gravel bike, you are free to go wherever you want without worrying about the terrain. You can ride on paved roads as well as on forest paths. Who says gravel, says bike and equipment adapted to the practice! Although gravel is considered more of a hobby, gravel competitions are gradually emerging. There are other disciplines in which cycling excels. Why not start cycling in triathlon or track? This spectacular discipline takes place on a velodrome track constructed of wood, concrete or resin, 200 m, 250 m or 333.33 m long (very precisely). The track is 10 m wide and its 40-degree banked turns give it an impressive character. Cyclists can reach speeds of up to 75 km/h! Track cycling requires a very special bike, as it has no brakes, no freewheels and no gears. It makes you wonder if it's still a bike, doesn't it? Therefore, athletes must pedal continuously and decrease their pedaling rate to slow down the bike. If you like running and swimming, you might as well start cycling by initiating yourself in triathlon! This linked discipline marries running, swimming and cycling on the road or trail (for the cross triathlon). From sprint distances to long distance triathlons such as Ironman, there is something for everyone! Note that depending on the race format, drafting may be prohibited. You can choose between a triathlon bike or a race bike. You are now ready to start cycling. In your saddle, ready...pedal!"
A road bike has some specific characteristics:
Lightness: a primary criterion to allow the cyclist to go faster and faster, further and further (around 8 kg for mid-range bikes);
a road handlebar: on racing bikes, the handlebars are curved to provide better aerodynamics;
thin tires: unlike the big notched tires on mountain bikes, road bike tires are more tapered;
auto pedals to accommodate road bike shoes that clip on to improve performance when pedaling.
For their first bike, beginners may want to look into an aluminum composition before investing in a carbon frame for weight savings. Note that there are also time trial bikes especially dedicated to this use. Manufacturers offer children's bike models for youngsters wishing to discover the practice.
To start cycling, you will need a complete cycling outfit:
a breathable mesh jersey with rear pockets for refueling;
comfortable shorts with chamois for cushioning;
a thermal jacket for winter;
gloves with gel pads;
protective eyewear;
road cycling shoes with wedges.Road bike training
Bet on one outing per week and do not hesitate to join a cycling club to motivate yourself and train in a group in a friendly atmosphere. Take it a little at a time and make your rides longer as you go. When you train, don't forget to warm up!
Vary the sessions:
long rides to work on endurance;
split training with high intensity efforts interspersed with recovery phases to increase your maximum aerobic power (MAP);
home-trainer sessions on rainy days (a device for training at home);
rides with elevation changes.
A word of advice: set achievable goals to keep yourself motivated. And treat yourself well!Road Cycling Competitions
stage races taking place over several days: the famous Tour de France, the Tour of Italy (Giro) and the Tour of Spain (Vuelta);
classics, the one-day events: flemish classics, Ardennes classics, semi-classics (Paris-Camembert or Tro Bro Leon) and the renowned Milan-San Remo;
individual or team time trial represented at the Olympic Games since 1996, where cyclists take turns racing on a given course;
the circuit races of the Olympic Games or world championships;
the criteriums, most often held in the city over rather short distances.How to start mountain biking
The different disciplines in mountain biking
Cross Country (XC): the only mountain bike discipline that is represented at the Olympics! Mountain bikers move as fast as possible over technical terrain with challenging bumps and steep descents.
Downhill mountain biking: as the name suggests, the sport consists of a few minutes of downhill riding on a mountain track. The virtuosos of the handlebars go at full speed despite the turns and obstacles for an average of 40 km/h with top speeds of 80 km/h!
The Enduro VTT: a discipline similar to the downhill mountain bike, but with a longer duration of the event, a more extensive route and a limited recognition of the course in a time limit.
Four-cross (4X): a race on a closed course alternating bumps and technical passages, similar to a BMX track.
There are still other disciplines that are gaining in popularity: dirt MTB, freeride MTB, slopestyle...Equipment to choose in mountain biking
a suspension fork that allows you to dampen jolts;
wide, notched tires for good adhesion;
a resistant and therefore relatively heavy frame.
If you feel like taking advantage of a little boost for your off-road rides, you can opt for an electrically-assisted bike (EAB) in mountain bike version.
In order to start biking in good conditions, make sure you choose a frame that is your size and adjust your new machine correctly (seat height, inclination, stem, etc.).
In terms of equipment, protection is the keyword. A pair of gloves is paramount to protect your hands from friction and vibration or in case of a fall. Protect your eyes from the sun and projections with a pair of glasses. Choose a helmet with a visor and a wrap-around shape, or even a full face helmet for extreme practices. Do not hesitate to equip yourself with elbow and knee pads, as for rollerblading! As for clothing, it is generally a little looser than for road biking. Finally, you will need special mountain bike shoes if you use clip-on pedals.Mountain Bike Training
Here are some tips to apply when starting mountain biking:
select easy, low-tech routes to take time to get the hang of the new sensations and learn how to handle your ride;
don't keep your eyes on your front wheel: look far ahead to spot obstacles and anticipate the trajectory to follow;
learn to master the braking techniques and slow down progressively;
practice repairing a flat tire or changing a punctured tube, it will be useful!What's gravel
?
The gravel bike, a hybrid discipline
This is why the gravel bike is now considered the ideal travel bike for bikepacking. A versatility that has seduced bikepackers!"The gravel bike and the necessary equipment
The gravel bike thus combines the robustness of the mountain bike and the slender profile of the road bike. Its frame is made of solid materials and offers a comfortable geometry to hold the long distances in excursion. It can also be fitted with front and rear mudguards or travel bags. The crankset is compact and the brakes are often disc brakes.
Gravel clothing is generally more casual and has a lifestyle design. The trademark of gravel cyclists, the cap is the essential accessory to be 100% gravel. In general, the use of XC shoes is recommended.Special "gravel" competitions
Among others, you can try your hand at the following events:
the Normandicat Gravel, 150 km of racing on a circuit in Normandy;
the Cyclo gravel de l'Héraultaise in the Hérault valley;
the Gravel Trophy in the Alpes Maritimes.Starting cycling: what other disciplines?
Track Cycling
A discipline that excels in the Olympic Games and in the world championship.The Triathlon
