Sports: Cycling
[ Background |Equipment |Where ]
Background The bicycle was invented in the 1600s, originally a wood vehicle to be powered by people instead of horses. By the early 1800s, bicycles were consistently being built of metal, with two wheels, and were being driven by one person. The sport of cycling, and more recently mountain biking, has gained in popularity. Many us it as an environmentally-friendly form of transportation.
Cycling provides good exercise, fresh air, and a competitive challenge. It exercises most parts of the body including the legs, arms, hands and cardiovascular system. Cycling is also an Olympic racing sport with track and cross-country events. Mountain biking competitions continue to grow in popularity, combining speed with rugged terrain.
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Equipment There are thousands of brands and types of bicycles, from touring to mountain bikes, even tandems and unicycles. Costs range in price from under $100 to thousands of dollars. It is important to maintain the bike so it is at peak running condition. Check for thinning tire treads, squeaky brakes, sticky cables or a bent frame. Before each ride, squeeze the tires to make sure there is enough air pressure (the tires shouldn't squeeze much).
Riders should also invest in a CSA-approved helmet, with costs ranging from $20 to more than $100. This means the helmet design has completed the Canadian Standards Association's durability testing. Other accessories include a quality lock & cable, a water bottle, and a tire pump. Many cyclists also want toe clips, to improve peddling efficiency. Serious cyclists also invest in cycling clothing including cycling shoes, spandex pants shorts (usually with soft chamois crotch padding) and cycling gloves.
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Where
Maps of Bike Trails: Downtown | Victoria | North to Saanich | West to Sooke
Victoria provides ideal cycling terrain, with several hundred kilometres of bike paths. Flat routes can be found along the
southern waterfront of Victoria, from Ogden Point Breakwater along Dallas Drive
to the east end of Ross Bay. For a longer route, consider the Galloping Gouse Regional Trail thar runs from View Royal past Sooke in the
west. You cand also cycle north on the Lochside Regional Trail. Competitive cyclists can race at the Juan de Fuca Velodrome in
Colwood. Contact the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association at 250-478- 8384 ext. 2280
or the Sidney Velo club 250-477-6475
The paths are shared with other exercise seekers (walkers, joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters) who have right-of-way over cyclists. Victoria cyclists must have a bell or horn with which to warn other path users of their approach. Cyclists should also use traditional hand signals when riding on the street. When crossing a road, cyclists should dismount and walk their bikes (this forces cars to treat you like pedestrians!).
There is also excellent cyling in the Gulf Islands, with Pender, Galiano, Maybe
and Saturna the asknowledged preferred spots, all have campgrounds, and small
motels and beds & breakfasts.
Contact Cycling BC 604-737-3034 for more information.
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