Recreational cycling

Bicycle and touring clubs are widespread in Europe, particularly in France, Belgium, Italy, and England. Cycling has also been the basis for fitness campaigns, especially in the United States.

Cycling has always been an inexpensive mode of transportation. Although its popularity has lessened with the coming of automobiles, it is still widely used in many countries, including China and various countries of Southeast Asia.

Competitive cycling

The Union Cycliste Internationale, based in Switzerland, is the overall governing body of the sport of cycling. Different races are held at the local, regional, and national levels for different age groups. These groups range from youngsters (aged 12 to 13) to veterans (35 and older).

The main events in cycling are time trials; one-day, or classic races; and multi-day, or stage races. Time trials can be either individual or team events. These are events where the cyclists start one at a time and cycle over a fixed distance. The competitor who covers the distance in the shortest time is declared the winner.

The most well-known road race is the Tour de France, which is held during a three-week period each July. The race is a combination of time trials and stage races.

Track racing events include the sprint, the one-kilometer time trial, and the points race. In the keirin, or motor-paced, race, each bicycle racer competes behind a motorbike or motorcycle. Air currents from the motorbike help increase the bicycle racer's speed. Another form of racing is bicycle motocross (BMX). In this event racers ride on dirt tracks which feature a large number of jumps and turns.

History

Cycling as a sport officially began on May 31, 1868, with a 1,312-yard (1,200-meter) race near Paris, France. On November 7, 1869, the first intercity race was held between Paris and Rouen. In the United States the first recorded race was held on May 24, 1878, in Boston, Massachusetts.

While road racing became common within a few years in Europe, in England bad road conditions made it unsuitable. Therefore, the sport there focused on track racing, or time trials. The development of racing as a popular sport began in Europe in the 1890s. In 1903 the first Tour de France was held. Other important races in the early 20th century were held in Italy and Spain.

Professional championships began in the 1920s. Amateur cycling for men had been part of the Olympic Games since 1896. The category of women's road race was added to the Olympics in 1984 and track races were added in 1988.