Getting Started

Most of us have tried cycling at some stage in our lives. You never forget to how to ride a bike as the saying goes and the sport has lots of different disciplines – BMX, Cycle Speedway, Cyclo-Cross, Mountain Bike, Road and Track.  Cycling clubs will offer you the chance to get involved in all or some of them. 

Leisure cycling really is for everyone – and you can also get involved in coaching and volunteering. If you’re just getting back in the saddle – or like your cycling completely casual then it is one of the very best ways to get toned and fit. If you enjoy riding your bike for fun and exercise then why not check out local cycle paths and routes? Cycle groups are great ways to make new friends and see your neighbourhood from new angles.
Cyclists will tend to polarize to either on or off road riding really because the bikes are now quite specifically designed for one or the other.  While a mountain bike can be ridden on the road, for mixed riding a ‘hybrid’ bike will offer a good compromise.
Part of the appeal of cycling over say running, is that you can cover greater distances and so the scenery changes faster…

Kit you'll need

You are obviously going to need a bike (although it may be worth hiring or borrowing a bike just to make sure you are going to like it).  If you have been away from cycling for a while then you may find that there is a bewildering choice and the advances in technology and materials over recent years have been remarkable.  Mountain bikes especially have incorporated automotive technology with suspension and disc brakes.  The best advice generally is to buy the best frame you can afford as you can then upgrade the other components later if required.

Another absolute must is a helmet and you should take time to get one which fits properly. 
Lots of choice of clothing and shoes but your best investment will be a pair of padded shorts…

What's Good

Cycling is a fantastic way to achieve a workout with low impact on joints and as such is accessible to all age groups and for anyone who may be recovering from injury.  Cycling also gets you out an about and some forms are highly technical so can be challenging to master.

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