Cycling Information

• Cycling Clubs in the Australian Capital Territory – ACT
• Cycling Clubs in New South Wales – NSW
• Cycling Clubs in the Northern Territory – NT
• Cycling Clubs in Queensland – QLD

• Cycling Clubs in South Australia – SA
• Cycling Clubs in Tasmania – TAS
• Cycling Clubs in Victoria – VIC
• Cycling Clubs in Western Australia – WA

Introduction
Cycling is a known form of exercise and conveyance all over the world. While it is a widely accepted way of staying fit, cycling has also evolved as a pollution-free mean of transport effective for shorter distances. Apart from not causing noise or air pollution, it is also very economic, since it only converts the cyclist’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy. Cycling has also been a major sporting activity all over the world. The Lance Armstrong episode has brought into limelight the pressure and competition involved in cycling tournaments.

There are different forms of cycles available today, apart from the conventional two wheeled bicycle. Bicycle racing is also an Olympic sport today. Although cycling as a sport is gaining popularity all over the world, it is especially popular in the continent of Europe. Few countries like Netherlands have a flatter land and hence, proper cycling paths devoted entirely to the use of cyclists. The United States also holds considerable standing in the sport. The roots of the sport can be traced back to the nineteenth century. Today, there is a variety in the type of bicycle races, some of them being, road cycling, track cycling, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, BMX, cycle speedway, motor paced racing etc.

Cycle Racing
Cycle racing developed as a popular sport towards the end of the nineteenth century. The sport comes under the regulations of the international body, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The Union Cycliste Internationale is based in Switzerland. The year 1903 saw the commencement of one of the most popular cycling tournaments till date, the 21 day long tournament-Tour de France. The season of professional cycle road racing commences in January in Australia and Malyasia. It continues up to October in the United States and the Europe. In November and December, the end of the season is marked in Asia. Spread over a span of eight months, the season consists of around 120 days of actual competition. The Japan Cup is a popular and esteemed cycling event in Asia.

Mountain biking is a cycling contests over tough terrains which test the balance, courage, endurance and strength of the cyclist. The cross country form of the sport is an Olympic event. These events use specially designed bicycles which help the cyclist in manoeuvring through the rough, mountainous terrains. The form of the sport of cycling involves a better understanding of technicalities of the cycle as well as the terrain. The cyclists are generally removed from the civilized world and are more self reliant in terms of repairing their own bikes etc.

Cyclo cross basically involves a track which has hurdles like grass, steep trails, pavement, etc to be overcome.

Utility Cycles
This form of cycling refers to the use of the bicycle for commutation and commercial purposes. Commercial purposes include the use of a cycle in transporting goods. This is a low cost and environment friendly mode of transport. In fact the postal services of many countries have been reliant on bicycles for ages now. The utility bicycles are specially designed to meet the needs of practical transportation without taking into account the recreational and sporting aspects into consideration. Most of the developing nations have an abundance of the economic utility bicycles.

The earliest forms of a cycle were the draisine and the boneshaker. While the former is actually a four wheeled vehicle used for carrying equipment for repairs, etc., the later is a very preliminary form of a bicycle. They were manufactured with the intent of weaning people away from horse carriages. The cost, the danger of this initial design, the gender notions of the time limited this design to wealthy young men looking for some adventure. The earliest chronicles of bicycles were that of courier and newspaper boys in Paris in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

They used the penny farthings bicycles which have a huge rear wheel and a smaller front wheel. The penny farthings were also widely used for recreation and sports. After the safety bicycles were introduced, the utilitarian use increased by leaps and bounds, especially in Europe and United States after the Second World War. Towards the end of the twentieth century, the use of light frame alloys, new brake systems, innovative gearing techniques and possible electronic navigation were the developments introduced in these cycles. All the components of a utility bicycle are used with the intent of delivering a sturdy bicycle frame rather than performance.

Touring Bikes
These bikes are designed for longer distances and travels with some luggage handling capability. They are modified so that travelling on the cycle becomes comfortably possible. It has an extended wheelbase to allow enough leg movement which does not interfere with the luggage near the wheels. They have heavy duty wheels which help in carrying the heavy loads for long distances without encountering breakdowns. They have numerous mounting points for the luggage. The latest designs of the touring bikes involve 622mm wheels which are approximately same as that of a road racing bicycle. The reason behind using smaller tires is their widespread availability and increased strength.

The sport touring bike is a lighter version of this bicycle. It has a more relaxed geometry in terms of the frame structure. Lot of variety is now available in the touring bikes depending on the amount of weight that the bike needs to carry, the speed requirements etc.

Mountain Bikes
These are designed for off road cycling requirements. They are generally used by those in search of adventures and intensely gruelling challenges. Also people who reside in the mountainous terrains make use of these bicycles. The terrains on which these bikes are used contain rocks, sand gravel etc. The mountain bikes is designed to be able to tackle hurdles such as logs, moderately big stones etc. the most essential requirement of such bicycles is to be extremely sturdy. The inclines and declines both should be manageable by the bike. Hence the brake system as well as the geometry and frame have to be designed keeping all these factors in mind. The terrain is definitely uneven and also unpredictable; the bicycle needs a strong shock mechanism to prevent the bicycle from getting damage in the course. Therefore, a mountain bike will look different because of the suspension mechanism, larger tires mounted on heavier wheels. The tires have more of a knobby pattern to help in ascending and descending uneven lands.

Cyclo-cross Bikes
Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. The highlight of this form is that the participants have to overcome hurdles like steep hills, wooden trails, pavement, etc. by dismounting from the cycle, carrying it with them while surpassing the obstacle and mounting again. This sport has multiple short laps of 2-4kms. The European countries like Belgium, France and Netherlands is where this form of cycling is most popular. Since the cycle needs to be carried by the cyclist for some distance, it has to be lightweight. They are distinguished by their narrow tyres, stronger framework, and their cantilever brakes. Given the nature of the obstacles, these tyres are knobby for better traction. The section where the bicycle needs to be lifted is a small portion of the track. In this form of the sport, it is the cyclist’s physical strength and endurance and his bicycle handling skills that are tested. Interestingly, the cyclist is allowed to change bicycles and get mechanical help during the race. Frenchman Daniel Gousseau is credited with the origins of cyclo-cross biking as a sport.

Cycling Events

Cycling Equipment

• Cycle – A Cycle is the most obvious and the most basic equipment. While utility bicycles- generally used by people as a means of conveyance- are widely available at fairly affordable rates, professional cycles have to be priced higher given the specialized design and components involved. Aerobars, wheels, frames, hydration systems etc, are the components to be paid special attention to while purchasing a professional bicycle. The braking system becomes an important feature of professional cycles whether from a safety perspective or otherwise.
   
• Helmets – A helmet is used as a safety gear in case of a fall or accident. While road racing is safer, the more extreme forms of the sport like mountain racing are indeed risky. For night time cycling, light fitted helmets are a must.
   
• Cycling Pads – Cycling pads are manufactured with the intent of protecting the groin from injury during cycling. It is designed in a way that it can be inserted into the cycling shorts and prevents injury. It came up at the end of the twentieth century and the technology advanced in the beginning of the twenty first century.
   
• Shoes – Cycling shoes are custom made depending on the type of cycling sport being practised. The main focus is on accurate transfer of power from the feet to the pedals. To avoid the feet slipping away from the pedals, there is also a mechanism which helps in keeping the feet attached to them. There is a cleat at the bottom of the shoe with a matching fitting in the pedal which keeps the feet in place. The shoes are supposed to be light weighed so as to not tire the cyclist, but the weight of the shoes also depends on one’s budget. Some cyclo-cross shoes have flex in the frontal part of the shoes to assist in climbing with the bicycle.
   
• Clothing – Proper clothing along with kneecaps keeps the cyclist comfortable during the race and also prevents injury in case of a fall.
   

Cycling Australia
The Cycling Australian Federation Inc is the apex body for bicycle racing in the continent of Australia. Cycling Australia (CA) is another name for this body. It conducts the events related to road racing, track racing, BMX racing, mountain bike and cyclo-cross racing, etc. The Federation is also associated with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The headquarters are located in Mascot in New South Wales. Multiple professional cycling events are organized in Australia by this committee throughout the year. Para Cycling is also a very popular form here. The disabled battle it out to win the competitions. The Cycling Australia Para-cycling Road National Championships were recently held in Echuca. Training and coaching for professional cycling is available with the federation. One can choose from multiple training opportunities to find the one that is best suited to one’s purpose. There are development options to choose from, for the entire gamut of the available cycling techniques. One can become a member and get coached in road racing, mountain racing, BMX, para cycling, track racing, CX, etc. Hoogerheide, Netherlands is going to host the 2014 UCI Cyclo Cross World Championship, where Australia is sending a seven member team for participation.

Cycling is a great sport which tests the overall endurance, balance, core strength and the focus of an individual. It keeps you physically fit and mentally alert.