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Oshawa-Durham > Recreation > Sports >
Sports: Cycling
[ Background |Equipment |Where ]
Background
The bicycle was invented in the 1600s, originally a wood vehicle to be powered by people instead of horses. By the early 1800s, bicycles were consistently being built of metal, with two wheels, and were being driven by one person. The sport of cycling, and more recently mountain biking, has gained in popularity. Many us it as an environmentally-friendly form of transportation.
Cycling provides good exercise, fresh air, and a competitive challenge. It exercises most parts of the body including the legs, arms, hands and cardiovascular system. Cycling is also an Olympic racing sport with track and cross-country events. Mountain biking competitions continue to grow in popularity, combining speed with rugged terrain.
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Equipment
There are thousands of brands and types of bicycles, from touring to mountain bikes, even tandems and unicycles. Costs range in price from under $100 to thousands of dollars. It is important to maintain the bike so it is at peak running condition. Check for thinning tire treads, squeaky brakes, sticky cables or a bent frame. Before each ride, squeeze the tires to make sure there is enough air pressure (the tires shouldn't squeeze much).
Riders should also invest in a CSA-approved helmet, with costs ranging from $20 to more than $100. This means the helmet design has completed the Canadian Standards Association's durability testing. Other accessories include a quality lock & cable, a water bottle, and a tire pump. Many cyclists also want toe clips, to improve peddling efficiency. Serious cyclists also invest in cycling clothing including cycling shoes, spandex pants shorts (usually with soft chamois crotch padding) and cycling gloves.
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Where
Oshawa-Durham's summer weather and terrain provide good conditions for blading.
Just be cautious of traffic or pedestrians (they have right of way on
paths). Caution: in wet weather, your wheels and brakes can become very slippery and dangerous.
Here are local cycling clubs:
Oshawa Cycling Club - 55-member family-oriented club with Sunday road biking trips and the annual Scugog Circle Century. (no phone number provided)
Ganaraska Freewheelers (905-377-9984) organizes 2-3 weekly rides in Nothumberland County
Cobourg Cycling Club - weekly time trials and weekend rides (no phone number provided)
Uxbridge Cycling Club, Toronto - mountain bike racing and trail maintenance. (no phone number provided)
Cottage Country Loop:
Port Hope to Presqu'ile. 55 km
Presqu'ile to Madoc 92 km
Madoc to Ardoch 74 km
Ardoch to Chippawa Resort 100 km
Chippawa Resort to Sand Bay Camp 54 km
Sand Bay Camp to Bancroft 66 km
Bancroft to Minden 88 km
Minden to Bobcageon 95 km
Bobcageon to Port Hope 102 km
Other Routes:
Port Perry Ashburn Uxbridge 77K
Caesarea & View Lake 70 & 95K
Musselman Lake & Stouffville 95K & 84K
Port Hope & Cobourg 104K & 126K
Orono & Newcastle 80K
Burketon Blackstock Nestleton 78K
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