Cycling is a sport that involves an athlete and equipment: the bicycle. If we think about it like that, it is possible to call cycling any modalities that involve these two parts, such as road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking and bmx. In addition, cycling is also a fundamental component of another sport: triathlon, which unites swimming, cycling and running. We'll talk about these different faces of the same sport.
The most traditional modality is perhaps road cycling. That's because the Tour de France, or the Tour de France, is the most anticipated cycling competition in the world. This competition takes place annually, in the month of July, totaling 3,000 kilometers, which athletes must cover on their bicycles. In other words, it is clear that road races are long-distance races, which can be covered on the same day, or with stops, as in the case of Grandes Voltas. The results of these tests are given in two ways: individually and by team.
Track cycling is one of the most beautiful sports to watch at the Olympic Games. They are played on a generally closed track, called a velodrome. The most common events are the pursuit events (in which an athlete or a team of athletes must be less than one meter away from the another) and the tests against the clock, in which the athletes must pedal as fast as possible, winning the one who completes the distance in the smallest time.
Mountain biking is also known as adventure cycling. These are competitions held in open places, with very bumpy dirt trails, and involving many ups and downs. Unlike bicycles used for road and track cycling, which are very light and with very tires. thin, the mountain bike must have strong suspension and thicker tires to resist obstacles found.
BMX is a modality that uses wheels of twenty inches in diameter, that is, small in size if considered for an adult man. There are two different types of races: one that is a race held over rough terrain – BMX Racing – and the other is characterized by maneuvers with and on the bicycle – BMX Freestyle.
Although cycling is considered a sport characterized by competition, one should also remember to that the bicycle is also a means of transport for many people, especially in cities that are more calm. Unfortunately, the lack of space for the cyclist on the common lanes of big cities makes people exchange bicycles for cars to get around. In times of global warming, if there were real investment in the construction of bicycle paths, maybe we would have an improvement in air quality and, why not, more cyclists in our cities.
By Paula Rondinelli
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Doctoral Student in Integration of Latin America at the University of São Paulo - USP
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/educacao-fisica/ciclismo.htm
