Writing in defence of cycling as a sport

Got an opinion about cycling as a sport? Let's hear it!

Here's an opinion piece from one of the Cycling City team.

"Recently this website carried an opinion piece about cycling as a relaxed mode of transport, one that doesn't involve getting hot under the Lycra collar. I wholeheartedly agree with those statements, but for me there's more to it than that.

"Sure I use my bike to get from A to B. We all know it's cheaper than the bus or the car, and it's probably faster than both over a short distance through the city. But sometimes I like to get from A to B as fast as possible, especially if A and B happen to be far from each other.

"For me, ever increasing average speeds and racing up hills until my lungs want to burst are the main reasons for riding my bike. That, plus wanting to make the best use of a drawer full of padded shorts and tight fitting clothing, and the excuse to eat enough cake to feed an army. And I'm convincing I'm not alone in this. For example, there are 180 sportives in the UK this year, 68% up on last year.

"I enjoy riding fast, either with friends or, more usually on my own. Riding with company usually only involves quick five-second conversations in-between deep breaths for air and long hours spent staring at the backside of the person in front (I'm sure my friends would agree that I'm not the best riding companion!). Riding on my own gives me the chance to push myself to get fitter and faster, out in the countryside, either on my mountain bike or road bike, far away from the office, from towns and cities and from the humdrum of modern life. Most of my rides are against the clock, whether I plan it that way or not; I usually end up racing for my personal best, even if it's just on the journey home.

"I imagine those motivations are easy to associate with for lots of 20- and 30- and 40-somethings who are interested in exercise and healthy lifestyles. (If you're a 50-something and you're still getting faster I take my bicycle helmet off to you!)

"I've been riding bikes this way, on and off, since my 21st birthday. That day I competed in my first race, schlepping over 100km of the Brecon Beacons on a mountain bike in the rain. I wouldn't say it was pleasant but it did give me a taste for the freedom and adventure that bikes bring, along with a desire to do more (semi-) competitive cycling. Since then I've ridden a few sportives a year and occasional time trials. Last night I also took part in Bristol's tough-guy chain gang, which near killed me. But boy did I feel exhilarated travelling along in formation at a comfortable 26mph.

"Cycling as a sport is how I get my kicks - and I think it's been an important (maybe even overlooked) reason for cycling's resurgence in the last few years.

"Unless you've been living under a rock I'm sure you've seen the rise to prominence of Great Britain's cyclists, as well as the increased coverage of cycling on the TV. Sir Chris Hoy is now a household name following his Olympic medal haul and his advert for breakfast cereal. Victoria Pendleton too, bagged gold at the Olympics and recently recorded a TV ad for Hovis bread. And the Tour of Britain now gets coverage on prime time TV. In addition, cycling clubs across the south-west are seeing year on year increases in their membership numbers.

"Our homegrown household names provide great role models for our young people to look up to. When I was younger it was bike riders like Miguel Indurain, Mario Cipollini and Marco Pantini that caught my attention. These days professional road riders like Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins and Nicole Cooke, track stars like Hoy and Pendleton, or mountain bikers like our local Olympic cross country star Oli Beckingsale all do wonders for young people to look up to.

"Before I'm accused of having dellusions of grandeur, I know I'm not going to ride the Tour de France any time soon. But in much the same way that Saturday morning footballers pretend to be Wayne Rooney, it's nice to pretend that I'm crossing the finish line of an alpine race as I crest over the brow of a hill, with only my shadow chasing me. Perhaps I should get out more - or maybe that's the problem.

"Anyway, I'm past it now. I'm old enough to know better, but I keep on racing, for pride and fitness, and to try in vain to beat younger and younger men and women.

"Our children, on the other hand, are the ones for whom cycling can be more than a battle against the bulge. The competitive element of cycling is quite natural for children and it should be encouraged. Cycling as a sport provides some excellent skills for children, not to mention setting a good example about healthy living and sustainable transport. Cycling City youth programmes like Bike Club and Go Ride clubs are helping our local children to develop these skills and foster these beliefs. It was great to read about the cycling success of some local children in the south west recently. These youngsters are showing their peers what can be achieved on two wheels - and I imagine they'll be racing past me on a mountain bike trail any day now!

"So if there's one point I'm trying to get across here, it's an appeal to all men, women and children who've dreamt of sporting success, who have a competitive streak, or who simply want the personal satisfaction of getting fitter and healthier, to grab their bike by the handlebars and give those pedals a few extra kicks tomorrow.

"Let me know if you arrive with an extra sense of achievement. Let me know if you feel hungry enough to justify that extra cake. And let me know if you plan to do it again the day after, just that little bit faster. Just don't blame me if you get hot under the collar trying to do it!"

If you'd like to get more into competitive cycling or cycling with others these links might be of interest:

• Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride
• Local sportives
• Bristol Bike-Fest 2010
• Better By Bike event calender
• Local cycling clubs
• B*stard hills of North Bristol