Road and track cycling are some of the most demanding and exciting sports both for participants as well as spectators. 

Going out for a bike ride is  such an independent thing; you  just strap in and go. And the amount of distance you can cover on a bike is incredible. - Mark Webber Formula One Driver (Ride  Magazine)

Sport cyclists need endurance, technique, speed, explosive power and exceptional aerobic fitness. 

Track cycling
Track cycling can take place on indoor and outdoor tracks, or velodromes. Velodromes differ in size and dimension and are made of varying materials, ranging from wood and cement to a combination of woods and synthetics. Track cycling is great spectator sport, popular races include the 'kilo', the kierin and the confused-looking Madison.  

Australia  has many indoor and outdoor tracks which are open to the public. Riding on a track is a thrilling experience and provides an excellent education in bike handling and tactics. All  cyclists will benefit from training on a track whether they are interested in competition or just want to improve their skills.  Track bicycles  do not have brakes and have fixed gears to enable cyclists to pedal at higher revolutions for longer periods. 

Road cycling
Most people have heard about the Tour de France, the world's most high profile road cycling event which inspires many Australians  to stay up night after night to watch but it also motivates  many to take up cycling be  for a personal challenge or competition.  Competitive road cycling  involves both team and individual events. Races may be held over a number of stages or as single days. Other events include time trials (both team and individual)  and criteriums (a race of varying number of laps around a circuit of roads).  

Races vary in distance from a few kilometres for some criteriums, to individual stages of 250 km or more. Road cycling primarily requires strength and endurance, although an aerobic capacity may be called upon in breakaways, hill climbing and all-out sprints to the line. Road cycling has seen a huge growth in participation by people who love the personal challenge it provides; for some cycling has  become the new golf.  Cycle enthusiasts include ANZ CEO John McFarlane,  BHP Billiton's Chip Goodyear, National Australia Bank boss John  Stewart, the  President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal,  Judge Stuart Morris and Chris Corrigan, the previous CEO of Patrick Corporation. 

The great thing about cycling is that people from all backgrounds can cycle together in a bunch and work as a team. Cycling is a very social sport, with people conducting conversations while they are riding and different abilities can be accommodated. Road cyclists do most of their training on the road, and training distances vary depending on the season.  At the elite level, training involves at least daily sessions, with weekly distances tallying 400-1000 km. At the recreational level, some cyclists ride on weekends only, whereas others cycle most days of the week. 

Most cities and towns have roads which are popular with training cyclists. To find out where they are talk to a local bike shop and check out cafes where riders hang  out. In Melbourne on most weekend mornings there are more cyclists than cars on Beach Road which has become a mecca for cyclists. Don't forget to check out our People to Ride With section to find a cycling club in your area if you want to join other cyclists or if you are considering to particpate in competitions.