History of Competitive Cycling
Cycling is an outdoor activity that can be done leisurely or for competition. The sport is a simple yet challenging one that came into being in the 19th century after Karl Von Drais developed the prototype of what would evolve to become the bicycle in 1817. During the second half of the 19th century, the first set of bikes was made and sold in Paris, and the first few years after it was founded, cycling races were strictly short distances because bicycles weren’t built for the comfort of long-distance rides.
As a result of the pressure from numerous bicycle manufacturers that began to arrive in Paris, the Michaux Company, which invented the first modern bicycle, chose to sponsor one significant racing event that attracted much excitement among Parisians. The race took place on May 31, 1868, at the Parc de Saint-Cloud, and it marked the beginning of a new era of competitive cycling. The sport grew popular in France and Italy soon after, with more and more events attempting to test the limits of the wooden and metal bicycles, which lacked rubber pneumatic tires at the time. Many bicycle manufacturers enthusiastically backed bicycle racing, developing better models designed solely for racing, and contestants began to receive significant rewards from such competitions.
Subsequently, on November 7, 1869, cyclists from Paris and Rouen competed in the first inter-city race marking the start of longer riding events. Shortly after, in 1870, England athletes began track cycling. Cycling debuted in the 1896 Athens Olympics as both track and road events. In 1900, the Union Cyclists Internationale was formed as the regulatory body of all competitive cycling events. That period also debuted other famous races like the Tour de France (in 1903) and the Giro D’Italia (in 1909).
Tour De France’s first race in 1903 was a cycling race that would cut across the country. Athletes had to go through six stages covering 932 miles. They were offered a huge prize and strong reasons to keep a good pace of 12.5 mph. About 80 people entered the long race. Maurice Garin took first place after riding for 94 hours, 33 minutes, and 14 seconds, receiving a prize equivalent to six manufacturing workers’ annual wages. Competitive cycling went on a decline in Europe after WWI. However, it bounced back after WWII. Meanwhile while, short-distance cycling gained popularity in the United States. Other significant turning points for cycling in the 20th century were 1927, when the first professional road cycling world championships took place and 1982, when the first bicycle motocross world championship was held.
By the 1960s, American drivers had significantly impacted the European cycling scene; yet, by the 1980s, European drivers were increasingly competing in the United States. By the end of the 20th century, the bicycle motor cross became an Olympic game.
Cycling has several benefits as a recreational activity, including improving weight loss and muscle development. It has proven to be a highly demanding and rewarding competitive sport.
