Cycling offers fun and freedom – whether you're cycling for recreation, competitive sport, taking a touring holiday, or simply getting from A to B.
Last year New Zealanders bought more than 300,000 bicycles – twice as many as six years ago. Suffice to say, our enthusiasm is growing faster than a down-hiller on descent!
In fact, cycling is the fastest growing recreational and sporting activity in New Zealand. Some are referring to it as 'the new golf' because of its growing popularity with the 30-50 year olds. Whatever your age or fitness, cycling has something for you.
Road Cycling
This is one of the easiest types of cycling to get into. You can start your ride from home. Or work it into your day by riding to and from work.
Road cycles are built for speed and efficiency. They tend to be lighter, have drop handle bars, and narrower rims and tyres.
Road cycling is a low impact way to stay healthy and physically active. It's popular with men and women, young and old, and suits all shapes, and sizes. And you don't have to be a Tour de France hopeful bandaged in lycra – unless a snug fit's your thing!
New Zealand has great areas for road riding. There are many quiet, scenic, semi-rural, and coastal roads close to our urban centres – and they're not all hilly.
If you're looking for others to enjoy your ride, you could join a cycling club. They offer a chance to learn more about your new passion. Social cycling groups are also very popular.
Find your local council and ask if there's one near you. Creating your own informal riding group is also a great excuse to catch up with friends.
And there are lots of well run road cycling events throughout the country – whether you're just starting out or a seasoned competitor
Off road/mountain biking
If you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city streets and cars, then off-road cycling has much to offer – from quiet riverside or waterfront trails, to back country bush, and mountain tracks.
Don't be put off by visions of downhill adrenalin junkies, off-road cycling is as much for those seeking a quiet outdoors experience. But don't rule out the thrill of more challenging terrain. Mountain biking is great fun and lets you explore new areas you might not get to walking.
New Zealand's off-road riders are well catered for. There are an ever increasing number of off-road trails and mountain bike parks. You'll also find a huge range of well run events - some with access to areas that are closed to the public.
Off-road or mountain bikes have a relaxed riding position. They're versatile enough to handle both on- and off-road terrain. They have flat handle bars and generally smaller diameter wheels, with wider rims and tyres that offer a softer ride.
They may or may not have suspension. They are heavier than road bikes and not as fast. But they're more robust, and can more easily accommodate carriers and pannier bags.
Click here to find a mountain biking club.
Track cycling
Track cycling is thrilling for riders and spectators. Track racing involves riding against the clock, or other riders, over set distances.
It's practiced on an oval velodrome with banked corners of varying degrees. It's a safe and controlled environment. And as well as being exciting, it's ideal for learning to ride.
Cycling Southland has a very successful programme run on the velodrome that introduces people to physical activity through cycling.
There are eighteen purpose built velodromes in New Zealand. Contact Bike NZ (www.bikenz.org.nz) to find your nearest one.
New Zealand has done very well competitively at track cycling. Successful performances at the Athens and Beijing Olympics has raised track cycling's profile. The result is strong interest at a grass roots club level.
Click here to find a track cycling club.
BMX (Bicycle Motor Cross)
BMX has a strong following among kids, but there's fun to be had for all the family.
Sarah Walker's debut at the Beijing Olympics has inspired a new set of fans to take up the sport.
BMX racing is held on non-paved circuits of around 350 metres in length that include jumps, banked corners, and other obstacles. Races are short, and have the potential to be fast and action-packed as you compete against other riders.
Despite its dare devil reputation, BMX is no more dangerous than most team sports – that is you'll rarely get more than a few bumps and scratches.
Many councils have built free BMX tracks.
Click here to find your nearest BMX club.
Cycle Touring
Cycle touring, or multi-day recreational cycling, is a great way to holiday – to see and experience new places and people. With nothing between you and the open road, you'll always feel in the thick of things.
You can organise your own trip or leave it up to someone else. There are many companies that specialise in offering cycle tours in New Zealand and overseas, both on- and off-road. An organised trip takes away much of the hassle, including having to carry your own gear.
Check out Cycle New Zealand (www.cyclenewzealand.com) for more info.
Find out more
For more information on cycling, including tips on buying and looking after a bike, contact Bike NZ (www.bikenz.org.nz).
If you're ready to start pedalling, visit the ActiveSmart (www.activesmart.co.nz) website for a cycle training programme. You can tailor it to you and it's absolutely free!
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