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Cycling

✨ The Adventure on two wheels

Cycling is a form of physical activity in which a bicycle is propelled by turning the pedals. The legs provide most of the force: the quadriceps and gluteal muscles are especially active, while the hamstrings and calf muscles also contribute. The repeated movement of the legs raises the body's demand for oxygen, so cycling can train the heart and lungs and improve aerobic fitness.

How hard the body works depends on factors such as speed, slope, wind, bicycle resistance and pedaling rate, also called cadence. Changing gears does not create energy; it changes the mechanical advantage between the pedals and the wheel, making it easier or harder to maintain a chosen cadence. Because the rider's weight is supported by the saddle, pedals and handlebars rather than by repeated impacts with the ground, cycling generally places less impact on the joints than activities such as running.

Cycling can be practiced for recreation, sport or everyday transport. Regular physical activity that includes cycling can contribute to better cardiovascular fitness, stronger muscles and bones, improved mood and better control of body weight. The health benefit depends on how often, how long and how intensely a person rides, as well as on their overall lifestyle. Cycling also requires balance, coordination and continuous adjustments to steering and pedaling.

For safe riding, the bicycle should be suited to the rider and kept in good working order, with effective brakes and properly inflated tires. A correctly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injury in a crash, while visibility, appropriate clothing and awareness of traffic and road conditions also matter. As a means of transport, cycling can reduce fuel use and local air pollution when it replaces motorized trips.

💡 Did you know?

Do you know what the 'Tour de France' is? It's the most famous and difficult bike race in the world. Every year, riders cover about 3,500 kilometers in just three weeks! They must climb giant mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees. The winner wears the 'Yellow Jersey' so everyone can recognize them.

The first bike had no pedals! It was called the 'Draisienne' or 'Dandy horse.' To move, you had to sit on it and push the ground with your feet, almost like running. It was only later that inventors added pedals and chains so people could go much faster with less effort.

The world speed record for a bike on flat ground is over 140 km/h! To achieve this, the bike is enclosed in a rocket-shaped shell so it isn't slowed down by the air. This is called aerodynamics. At that speed, the cyclist is going almost as fast as a car on the highway!