Cycling

Cycling refers to riding a bike on road, off road, freestyle and jumps. Cycling can be done on road racing bikes, mountain bikes, bmx bikes, cruisers, trial bikes and bmx racing bikes. Each of these cycling bikes are distinctly different, and are designed for different purposes. Cycling is a healthy sport, which many people enjoy each day. In Holland, there are very few cars which drive around; riding is the main form of transport. It is cheaper to do, fun but also slower. 

I have done various forms of cycling, including road racing, freestyle, bmx riding and downhill racing. Cycling for me is a great way to get out, have some fun and enjoy a little bit of adrenaline. Even now, I frequently go riding at the bmx track on a mountain bike doing jumps. Although I am not as fit as I once was, still find it great fun to spend a few hours down there.

Several years ago, I picked up an older road racing bike, and I thought it would be fun to try a new form of cycling. After fixing up the cycling bike, I began to ride it each day. It was a totally different experience from what I was used to doing. I would go to the bmx track each day on a bmx bike, and do jumps. Road racing as a form of cycling is not overly adrenaline achieving, but it is great for a form of exercise, and its fun to see how much you can improve. I bought a speedometer, to see how fast I could get my riding to go.

That year, a triathlon came up, and I was able to do the cycling section. I managed to hit 60 km an hour down a hill while cycling! I was stoked, and we ended up coming second in the triathlon. Cycling even now is not something which I do overly regularly, but it’s still something I enjoy. I have recently gotten into a new type of cycling; downhill riding. This involves a mountain bike with some form of suspension, racing down a hill as fast as you can go.

I have been amazed at how different this type of cycling is to bmx racing. I consider myself fairly experienced in bmx cycling, but I was surprised to see how bad I was at downhill cycling. It is great now to try and improve at this type of cycling, and I try to get outdoors doing it every few weeks. Cycling down hills is great exercise, and also provides a massive amount of adrenaline.

Cycling can be dangerous if you take on tasks which are beyond your ability. Bmx cycling and downhill cycling has some form of risk, but this can be managed appropriately, if you start slow and move up as you’re comfortable. I would highly recommend cycling to everyone, because it’s cheap to get into, and provides the exercise we all need.