Cycling is a very versatile sport that can be practiced both recreationally and competitively, but it also serves as an affordable and sustainable means of transportation.
And there are various types and disciplines of cycling, which can vary in relation to the track, type of bike and the way in which athletes are assessed in competitions.
Among the types of cycling and cycling disciplines, there are road, mountain, leisure, urban, triathlon, speed, BMX and many others. Each of these has its own characteristics, as well as specific and general rules.
If you like the sport, keep reading to find out about the types and modalities of cycling, how they are practiced and what models of bikes are available to these athletes.
First, let’s understand what cycling is and its historical context.
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Types and modalities of cycling: what the sport is and its history
Cycling is a sport practiced on bicycles, which can have different shapes, sizes and characteristics.
The sport was born back in the 19th century and until it became what it is today, bicycles underwent a wide variety of adaptations, gaining different types of pedals, wheels and saddles, and above all being modified to be ever safer and guarantee the safety of those on them.
The first record of a bicycle being built was in 1817, and the great inventor was Karl Drais, known as the “father of cycling“. It didn’t take long, however, for more people to start using this method of getting around as part of their lives, and for both the sport and bicycle models to evolve.
As such, cycling has undergone various modifications, adaptations and evolutions until it became what we know today.
More than just a sport or a means of transportation, cycling is a lifestyle! So let’s find out more about its types and modalities.
Types and types of cycling: road, track, speed and more
- Road cycling;
- Mountain biking;
- Track cycling;
- Urban and leisure cycling;
- Triathlon cycling;
- Cyclocross cycling;
- Gravel cycling;
- Speed cycling;
- BMX.
Road cycling
This type of cycling is practiced on well-paved roads, allowing the athlete to cover long distances at high speeds without any major obstacles in front of them.
Mountain biking
As for mountain biking, its main characteristic is that it has several obstacles, which are basically mountains and uneven ground.
Track cycling
Track cycling is practiced in special environments, i.e. velodromes. These are usually oval tracks.
Urban and leisure cycling
These types of cycling are not competitive, as they are about using the bicycle as a means of transportation in small and large cities, to get around. Leisure cycling, on the other hand, is a way of using bicycles to get around the city, either for fun or as a form of physical exercise.
Triathlon cycling
This type of cycling is mixed with other sports: swimming and running. So the athlete not only cycles, but swims and runs in the same competition.
Cyclocross cycling
This cycling format is a mixture of road and mountain biking. Athletes ride large circuits with very challenging obstacles.
It’s not uncommon to see cyclists carrying their bikes due to the difficulty of the obstacles they encounter.
Gravel cycling
Gravel cycling, also known as gravel biking, is very challenging for cyclists as they travel along roads full of gravel, i.e. stones.
The bike must therefore be adapted so that the cyclist can travel these extremely difficult and dangerous trails.
Speed cycling
Speed cycling basically consists of races on tracks or roads, and the main objective is to be as fast as possible.
BMX
BMX cycling is one of the most modern disciplines, as athletes not only use a very different type of bike to ordinary ones, but it also involves big jumps and paths full of different obstacles.
Now that we know what types of cycling there are, let’s see which of them are competitive and how they work.
Unraveling the types and modalities of cycling
After learning about the types of cycling, let’s unravel each of these disciplines and understand how they work in competition practice.
Road cycling
Road cycling is one of the most popular types of sport. The bikes used for road cycling are light, aerodynamic and very efficient.
Athletes need to be physically fit and have plenty of muscle strength. There are many competitions in this sport all over the world, especially in Europe.
Mountain biking
Mountain biking, also known as mountain biking, is one of the most exciting and challenging sports. It has different levels of difficulty and tracks, ranging from mountains, forests and rocky terrain.
This type of cycling has different forms of competition, which can be speed, circuit or even recreational. The bikes for these sports are obviously adapted to resist the damage that the natural elements can cause.
Track cycling
Track cycling takes place on velodromes and its main characteristic is that it has steep bends, which requires a lot of effort from the riders.
The competitions can take place either individually or as a team, and the evaluation is usually based on the sum of points. Competitions in this type of cycling take place all over the world, at world championships and also at the Olympics.
Triathlon cycling
Triathlon cycling doesn’t actually have that name, it’s just called triathlon. However, since we’re talking about cycling, it deserves to be mentioned as a discipline.
So athletes competing in triathlons have to cycle the second part of the route. The first is the swim and the last is the run. These sports demand a lot of physical and technical endurance from the athletes, and it’s these difficulties that make the sport so interesting.
Cyclocross cycling
Cyclocross cycling is also quite complex, as it has many more obstacles than the other disciplines mentioned above. Cyclists will face tracks with grass, sand, trails, mud and other obstacles.
The sport can take place both on closed circuits and on different terrains, and athletes face weather conditions that make everything even more complicated.
Competitions usually take place in the fall and winter months, and their championships can be both national and world championships.
Gravel cycling
Gravel cycling is a sport that mixes road and mountain biking. The main characteristic is that the roads have a lot of gravel, which are stones that make it difficult for the cyclists.
This sport takes place on different terrains and practitioners choose it as a way of exploring new landscapes, whether natural, rural or even paved.
The routes are long and can last several days. This type of cycling also requires bikes to be adapted to withstand obstacles.
Speed cycling
Speed cycling consists of good old-fashioned racing, with cyclists covering shorter distances but achieving the maximum speed possible. The tracks are specific and can be either indoor or outdoor, i.e. outdoors or indoors.
The main objective, then, is for the athlete to achieve maximum speed during the race, overtaking their competitors and arriving at the track in first position.
Types and types of cycling:
- Road cycling;
- Mountain biking;
- Track cycling;
- Urban and leisure cycling;
- Triathlon cycling;
- Cyclocross cycling;
- Gravel cycling;
- Speed cycling;
- BMX.
The sport can be practiced both as an individual and by teams, and the bikes are lighter to help the racing process.
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