Cycling, also, when on a two-wheeled bicycle, called bicycling or biking, is the use of cycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", or "bikers".
You get to enjoy the open air, sun on your face, and wind in your hair, plus the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. You'll probably want to get outside when it's sunny and nice anyway, and cycling allows you to get some quality exercise and have more fun at the same time.
History
Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and now number approximately one billion worldwide. Vehicles that have two wheels and require balancing by the rider date back to the early 19th century. The first means of transport making use of two wheels arranged consecutively, and thus the archetype of the bicycle, was the German draisine dating back to 1817. The term bicycle was coined in France in the 1860s, and the descriptive title "penny farthing", used to describe an "ordinary bicycle", is a 19th-century term. They are the principal means of transportation in many parts of the world, especially in densely populated European cities.
Cycling Fitness Facts
15 minutes of cycling, to and from work will burn 11 pounds of fat in a year.
30 minutes of cycling a day reduces risk of heart disease and stroke by 35%.
1 hour of cycling a day decreases mortality risk by 35%.
Cycling is impact-free and easier on the body than running.
A 110-pound female typically burns 400 calories an hour while cycling at a moderate intensity.
A 150-pound male typically burns 650 calories an hour while cycling at a moderate intensity.
A 220-pound male typically burns 850 calories an hour while cycling at a moderate intensity.
Everyone benefits from improved mood and reduced risk of depression after just a short ride.
Improved circulation from cycling can reduce arthritis and speed recovery from cuts and bruises.
Regular cyclists over the age of 30, often look 10 years younger than their peers of the same age.
The Most Convenient Exercise
Few fitness options are more convenient than cycling. Once you've got a bicycle, your exercise starts the minute you leave your house. With most other sports, if you have an hour and a half to work out, you spend 40 (or more) minutes driving to and from the gym, field, slope or pool, limiting your workout to 50 minutes.
With a bicycle, you can hop on, ride for 90 minutes and enjoy a much better workout. Once you leave the house, your workout begins and you determine how long it lasts. And, you don't need to wait for an instructor or a class to begin either, so it's much easier to fit cycling into your schedule.
Own Your Own Fitness Machine
Pay for a gym membership and at the end of the year you have nothing. Buy a bicycle and at the end of the year you have a tangible object ready to keep you fit. Plus, you can ride just for fun or transportation too. And, you can think of buying a bicycle like a fitness mortgage: you pay about the same as you did for your club fees, but at the end of your payments you own something that keeps working for you.
Also, you can finance a new bike purchase and pay about $50 a month (for a $600 bike). That's just about what you'd pay for a gym membership. Unlike a membership, though, you'll own your two-wheeled fitness machine and be able to use it whenever, wherever and however you like.
Enjoy The Outdoors
Cycling also happens to be a lot more enjoyable than working out in a gym. You get to enjoy the open air, sun on your face, and wind in your hair, plus the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. You'll probably want to get outside when it's sunny and nice anyway, and cycling allows you to get some quality exercise and have more fun at the same time.