Unlike soccer, football, baseball, and even track and field, cycling is not necessarily the top attention or cash grabbing sport in the world today. In reality, most of us know very little - if anything - about the sport. The bicycle (the instrument of the cycler) is one of the most familiar items in the world. It, however, is recognized as a leisure and transportation tool. Many of us fail to think of the bicycle as the equipment a cycler uses in a heart-pumping competition. In recent years, figures such as Lance Armstrong have brought some attention to the sport. Nevertheless, it remains largely in the obscurity.

And while cycling isn’t necessarily the most popular or well-known sport in the world, it is not insignificant. The reality is that cycling is really quite exciting to follow and is extremely beneficial to practice.

Cycling was originally created, of course, as a form of getting from one place to another more than anything. While it remains both a transportation and recreational activity, it is becoming increasingly valued as a sport on a competitive level.

The earliest races took place in the 19th century, with large races becoming popular in the 1890s curing the “Golden Age of Cycling” in Europe. In fact, cycling was a quite popular sport until the mid-20th century. Today, cycling is largely known for the Tour de France, which started in 1903. It is featured in the Olympics, giving viewers another chance to experience it. Beyond these two events, however, it is a minority sport.

There are many different types of races and competitions. Events may last for minutes, hours and even days, and competition may be individual or team. Mountain biking has become increasingly popular in recent years (even being included as an Olympic sport), as have road racing and indoor dome competition.

Cycling is not just for the pros. In fact, it is a great option for those looking to begin a fitness program or to change the fitness program they currently use. Popularity of the sport is increasing among even the most amateur athletes.

Research has linked cycling, like most physical activity, to an overall increase in physical and mental health. The time, effort and money put into starting out in the world of cycling will be returned to the individual manifold.

Cycling is primarily a cardiovascular activity, much like running, swimming and rowing. It differs from similar cardio work-outs is in that it is low-impact and therefore much easier on joints and bones than, for example, jogging. Cyclers burn calories and fat during work-outs (though how many calories are burned depends largely upon effort) and is a great cardio alternative for those with arthritis, past sports injuries or problems with obesity.

Those looking to try out cycling for the first time will be happy to know that they have both indoor and outdoor options available to them. Spin classes are available in almost all gyms, and sporting goods stores sell bikes year-round.

If you don’t know much about cycling yet, it may be time to start doing some research. Check your TV Guide to find out when an event will be featured on ESPN or another sports channel, and head to your local bike shop to see what equipment it has to offer. You may be surprised to find out how much you enjoy this lesser-known sport.

Damian Papworth loves cycling, both as a leisure activity and in weekend competition. He knows how important hydration in the sport is so he published the Cycling Water Bottle website. You can visit it at http://cyclingwaterbottleshop.com

While one of the smallest states in geographical land area, Maryland is a beautiful one with a wide range of forests, hills and state parks suitable for riding. It’s also got a lot of interesting terrain, from marshy swampland to the foothills of the Appalachians, dunes on the beaches, pine groves and more. Here’s a small sampler of great places to ride.

If you’re near Baltimore, and are looking for a nice ride that’s long, but not too challenging, check out the Northern Central Railroad Trail. It starts with a mild climb, and it’s a great family ride or beginner’s ride, with lots of scenery but no hills that will make people think you’re nuts. It’s got a lot of interesting stopping places for breaks, and don’t forget your camera. It can get a bit crowded in certain spots, but it’s navigable.

Hagerstown is our next stop, with the Green Ridge trail state forest. There are some challenging trails, but most are beginner friendly, and there’s over 20 miles of them to choose from. Most are well maintained single and double wide tracks, and the terrain variety is pretty broad, to keep things interesting.

One of the hidden gems of Maryland is the Fair Hill Equestrian Center. It’s close to Wilmington and runs against the Delaware border. As a horseback course, the trails are well maintained, and there’s a $2 map of the entire network. Watch out for the occasional road apple and remember that horses have the right of way. For challenges, there are creek crossings, hills, logs, and lots of twists and turns.

Cedarville State Park near Washington D.C. is an 8-mile loop that is mostly flat so you can build up quite a bit of speed. There are several trails that shoot off, but each is well-marked and color-coded. There is a $3 fee for riding but it’s worth it to enjoy some great riding!

One of the more picturesque destinations for offroad cycling is the Haystack Railroad Trail near LaVale. It’s definitely geared for experienced riders, but allows you to ride over some of the railroad courses cut into the hills in the mid 1800s, some of which have gotten very overgrown, but there are still noticeable track beds to ride in. There are some serious adrenaline rush downhill descents. Do keep an eye out for other riders; this course is also used by motorcyclists.

Lexington Park is the host to Saint Mary’s River Park, with a bit of riding and course work for everyone. It’s got 8 miles of technical challenges to ride over, with short hard climbs, lots of mud, roots and tight turns. It’s a serious workout - there’s also a slightly easier side course for people who want something that’s a bit less of a thighburner. This trail is closed from December through the beginning of March, and it’s a mudpit earlier in the season.

Maryland’s small land area conceals a huge variety of terrain. It’s got a lot of diverse challenges for you to ride over, and is really a microcosm of the kinds of terrain experienced throughout the country. It’s a mountain biker’s dream, and the trails above are a great place to get started.

PJ is the net’s authority on helping people to find their first bike. She opened thecomfortbikeshop.com to help beginners find great cruiser bikes. She has come to develop the webs best selection of comfort bikes including a great inventory of cruiser bikes.

It was sunny, it was a bright day. Yet it was not summer. It was hot like it forced you to wear a bikini or be half naked for the day. But the winds were strong too. Strong enough to fly a kite, strong enough for a good bicycle ride. This reminded me to buy a new bike. We had some good times me and my old bike but it is already worn out. New adventures are coming; I definitely need a new one. So what would be the things I need to consider in choosing a new bike?

One thing to consider is your budget. Mountain bikes have been known to go as high as a few thousand dollars. But a casual cyclist should never pay that much for a bicycle. A beginner needs something that will last as well as well built so you can get some performance out of it. You should be able to find a bike in the 250 to 500 dollar range.

Another consideration is figuring out where the bike will actually be ridden. Whether you plan on riding on pavement, on dirt trails, on a boardwalk, or on a greenway will significantly affect the type of bike you purchase. A comfort bike is usually the best match for the needs of a beginning biker.

So in deciding what the bike is for, in deciding if I would need a standard bike, a BMX bike, a road bike, a mountain bike, a tandem bike, a recumbent bike or any other type of bike that is out in the market. I think I need to go to a local bike shop for this. A local bike shop would be much better than buying it on big box store.

Bike shops usually have someone on staff who can answer your questions and help you narrow down your choices for a bicycle. They can offer suggestions for different bike components like the seat, handlebar shape, gear shifters, derailleurs, wheels and tires. Don’t let their expertise and experience intimidate you though. Remember that they are salesman and will try to upsell you into components you do not need. Hold steady, get your bike education and don’t let them make decisions for you.

The best way to figure out if a bike is right is to take it for a test drive. A friend having a model you would consider buying is the ideal situation but some stores may let you take it for a quick run. If a friend has a bike try to take it on terrain you will be riding on a lot and get a feel for the performance and comfort of the bike.

These are some of the considerations to think about when looking to purchase a new bike. Buying a bike can seem overwhelming at times because of all the information and options available to consumers. If you take a step back and research what you need buying a bike can be a fun and rewarding experience. Especially when you end up choosing the right bike that will last a long time and provide you with hours of fun and exercise.