Why Cycling?
One of the best things about cycling is that you can do it practically anywhere – even in your own neighbourhood. Hightail it down a paved road, use a track, combine some obstacles, a little running and off road cycling for cyclo-cross or just make your own route – legally, of course. If you have endurance, speed or power, this sport will get you in gear for lots of fun.
About the Sport
ABOUT CYCLING
Road racing is as easy as drawing a start/finish line and getting a few cycling competitors together. One of the main differences between road bikes and off-road bikes is that road bikes have slimmer tires designed for smoother riding on pavement. Professional road racers use 'drafting' – cycling very close behind someone – so that they don’t have to pedal as hard as the person breaking the wind. Try it out, you'll probably notice a difference. Also, remember to tuck as low as possible to prevent wind resistance. You'll move faster.
“Fun Fact: Frenchman de Sivrac built the first bicycle-type vehicle in 1690 – a 'hobbyhorse'. Pedals were added in 1839 by a Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who is credited with inventing the modern bicycle.”
STYLES OF ROAD RACING: 
CRITERIUM
All cyclists start at the same point and same time on a short circuit. Tight corners demand bike-handling skill and rapid acceleration.
TIME TRIAL
Race against the clock over distances of 15 km to 40 km. Efficient riding technique and good aerodynamics are essential.
STAGE RACES
Each day, a different route, or 'stage', is raced. After all the stages are completed, the rider with the most points and/or the lowest accumulative time wins. The Tour de France is a stage race.
HILL CLIMB
A race against the clock in which the finish line is at a considerably higher altitude than the start line.
TRACK
Both racers and spectators love this form of cycling. It's held on a steeply banked oval track usually found in a velodrome. There are many ways to race on a track.
500 m/1,000 m Time Trial
If you have the right gear, a fast start and determination, you can
win this race against the clock.
Match Sprint
Two or three riders race, draft, block and sprint to the finish. Tactics and sheer power will help you win.
Pursuit
Begin on opposite sides of the track and attempt to catch each other over a 3,000 m or 4,000 m distance.
Three examples include:
CYCLO-CROSS
Part cycling. Part obstacle course. Part running. And plenty of pure madness! This route has the roughest terrain: railroad tracks, gravel, streams, logs, mud, rocks and hills. Cycle for the most part, but when you approach an obstacle, hop off and carry your bike over. It's quite the workout. When you've had enough practice, and you think you're 'all that', try Ontario's two cyclo-cross series: Southern Ontario Cyclo-Cross Series and the Eastern Ontario Cyclo-Cross Series.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Although not normally performed on mountains, it's still pretty wild. Maybe it's the cool jumps or just getting dirty enough so your parents complain. Whether it's a circuit, downhill or slalom, mountain biking is a blast for riders and spectators alike.
Cross-Country
Riders compete against each other on trails. The one with the fastest time or the first across the finish line wins.
Downhill
Cyclists descend rapidly toward a finish line. Very little pedalling but much skill and courage are required to succeed in this fast-paced discipline. The fastest time wins!
Four Xross
Four competitors start on a short, usually downhill track, the course is open, and then they battle wheel-to-wheel to the finish line.
Dual Slalom
Two competitors compete on two parallel courses. Riders race each other twice – once on each course.
BMX (bicycle moto-cross)
Lots of dirt. A starting gate. Rollers. Jumps. And all in a track of only a few hundred metres. That's BMX for ya. A BMX race consists of three motos (qualifying heats) in which up to six riders compete and receive points according to their finishing position. The one with the most points at the end of the day wins. Nervous your first time out? No sweat, just like the other types of cycling, you're usually teamed up with someone of the same skill level.
“Fun Fact: There are over 3,000 licenced BMX riders and 40 tracks across Canada. There are four (soon to be more) tracks in Ontario alone! BMX will be a new sport in the 2008 Olympics.”
“Fun Fact: Ontario's Steve Bauer captured the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in the Men's Road Race, while Linda Jackson won the bronze medal at the 1996 World Road Race Championships.”
THE SKILLS
Braking
Most bikes have hand-brakes. All you have to do is squeeze them both, and your tires will stop turning around. Talk about a no-brainer!
Carrying
Especially for cyclo-cross, you're going to need to carry your bike. Pick up the bike by the frame and lift it to shoulder height. Use your other hand to stabilize the handlebar.
Steering
While biking, pull the left handlebar towards you and the bike will turn left. Do the same with the right handlebar and you'll go right. Is this making any sense?
Safety
Even the professionals insist on wearing a helmet along with knee and elbow pads. Make safety a priority – cycling safely is way more fun than a visit to the hospital.
Tucking
Your finishing position in a road race may just depend on your wind resistance. To minimize this, tuck and lower your body as close to the handlebars as possible while still maintaining a safe position.
“Fun fact: Bicycles in China outnumber cars 250 to 1.”
Athlete Profile
Anna's TRACK RECORD
Anna Tratnyek – future Olympian
Soon to be a world-class cyclist, Anna is dedicated to the sport of cycling. This
18-year-old spends 20 or more hours per week training to achieve her goal of winning an Olympic medal in 2012. She knows that it takes hard work and determination to get where she wants to be and realizes it will take great sacrifice to be the best. She's been a member of the Ontario Cycling Association's High-Performance Program for three years and boasts 10 racing awards in 2003 alone.
“Fun Fact: Remember the age-old axiom: you never forget how to ride a bike.”
History
WHEN DID IT ALL START?
Way back in 1690, a Frenchman named de Sivrac came up with a two-wheeled 'scooter-like' contraption. Throughout the 18th century, many smaller advances were made, but it wasn't until a Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, invented the first pedal-driven bicycle in 1839. Not long after, H.J. Lawson invented the chain drive and his 'safety bike' became very popular. Unfortunately, back then you couldn't just buy a bike anywhere, they were mostly only for the rich. The first bicycle race was held in Paris in 1868. After World War II, more and more young people latched on to cycling and grew the sport that we have today.
Contact Info
Find Out More About Cycling
Ontario Cycling Association
3 Concorde Gate, Suite 307
Toronto, ON
M3C 3N7
416-426-7416
http://www.ontariocycling.org
