CYCLING

Summary of the event. What actually happens?

During the most cycling events, cyclists race down the track to beat all the other competitors to the finish line.   There is four types of races, they are road, track, mountain biking and BMX.  There are also races against time in these events with the exception of BMX.  In BMX, bikers do tricks instead racing.  Cycling events include individual road race men, Olympic sprint men and cross-country women.  That’s what happens in a cycling event.

What does it feel like to participate?

“All the cyclists are so close and with my beating in my ears I wait restlessly.  Finally, the gun fires and all the cyclists race down the track.   The air rushes past but you have ignore that so you can speed faster down the track.  Breathing from the competitors is still light.  When it is about half done I start to speed up rushing ahead of some of the cyclists.  There it is the finish line just in sight everyone pedals as fast as they can.  It’s the last stretch and I give it everything I’ve got and I zoom past the finish line.  I couldn’t tell if I was first or second but it was close it felt good just be here.  Finally, the announcer tells me I won.  I yell out loud and it felt great.”

What kind of training is involved?

Training would include riding on a bike on certain courses.  For example if you were to prepare for mountain bike event you would bike in rougher terrain than other types of biking.  In track it would be more centered on speed on a smoother track.  In BMX you would practice on ramps and rails more so than flat surfaces.

What equipment do you need?

When cycling road you need a chain ring, a chain stay, a cogwheel, a cranks, a crankshaft, a derailleur, gloves, handlebars, a helmet, a saddle, a race bike, bicycle pants and a chain set.  When cycling mountain it is almost the same except instead of a race bike, you need a mountain bike. Cycling mountain also requires a suspension and a sprocket as well as the equipment for cycling road.

When and where is the event being held during the upcoming Olympics in Beijing?

The cycling events will be held from August 9 to 23.  Mountain, track and BMX are to be held at Laoshan venues.  Road cycling will take place at the Urban Cycling Road Course.