Cycle sport is a competitive physical activity that involves the use of bicycles. In many countries, bicycle racing is a source of national pride: As an Olympic sport, bicycle races are popular all over the world. In this article, we will look at the types of cycling sports that you need to know.
Road Bicycle Racing
This is the type of cycling sport that is held primarily on paved roads. It is also the most popular form of bicycle racing. The sport has a large number of competitions, events, competitors and spectators. The two common formats of road bicycle racing are mass start events and time trials.
Track Cycling
This is a cycling sport that is usually held on specially built banked tracks called velodromes. The race involves the use of purpose-designed track bicycles that do not have brakes or freewheels. Sprint and endurance races are the two main broad categories of track cycling.
Cyclocross
This type of cycling sport involves cyclists racing in many laps that are between 1 to 3 kilometres. The races are typically 40 minutes to 1 hour long and take place on terrains and surfaces like wooded trails, grasses, pavements, steep hills and obstacles that require the rider to carry the bike over and continue.
Mountain Bike Racing
MTB is a type of cycling sport that involves cyclists racing with specialised mountain bikes on off-road terrain. It also involves a moderate to a high degree of technical riding. The main categories of MTB are cross-country, enduro, downhill and four cross racing.
BMX
BMX stands for “bicycle motocross”. As a cycling sport, it involves riding strong single-gear bicycles on special off-road single-laps tracks. Riders are expected to navigate courses that may involve jumps and sharp corners.
Gravel Biking
This is a cycling sport that involves participants riding bicycles mostly on gravel roads with specially designed gravel bikes or any bicycle capable of covering the terrain. The races are usually long distances of 160 to 320 km and mostly on gravel roads. They also feature mass starts that include all categories of racers.
One good thing about each of these types of cycling sports is that they also have categories that anyone can take part in. For more information don’t hesitate to contact us.