Are you looking into cycling as a way of doing you daily commute to work? Or do you want to explore cycling as a sport? Either way, cycling isn’t just about riding a bike; it’s about embarking on a transformative journey that offers a myriad of benefits, both for your health and overall well-being. The decision to start cycling is a choice that can positively impact many aspects of your life. Read on and we’ll guide you through everything you need to know on how to get started with cycling.

Obviously you’ll need a bicycle. Check out our Buyers Guide to find the right one for you. First, however, you need to decide what type of cycling you will be doing. If you are commuting, there are lots of things to consider. Our Commuting section will help you get started. Are you heading into cycling as a sport? You can explore all the disciplines in the subcategories and decide which one fits your mindset and goals. Each discipline offers a unique experience ranging from riding with friends, to adrenaline-full racing and epic rides into nature.

How getting started with cycling benefits you

Cycling offers a broad range of benefits, some of which are:

• Physical health:
  • Improves cardiovascular fitness
  • Aids in weight management
  • Strengthens muscles and joints
  • Enhances flexibility and posture
• Mental well-being:
  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Boosts mood and happiness
  • Improves cognitive function
• Environmental and practical advantages:
  • Eco-friendly transportation
  • Cost-effective and minimal ongoing expenses
  • Accessibility and convenience in various terrains
• Social and community aspects:
  • Connects with fellow cyclists
  • Creates shared experiences and bonding opportunities

Gear and clothes

While all you really need to get started is a bike, some gear and clothing can be necessary and improve your experience quite a bit. We always recommend wearing a helmet for your own safety. Lights are essential if you ride in low light conditions. For longer commutes or sports cycling, some dedicated cycling clothes is required. Specially cycling shorts (called bibs) will improve your rear-end comfort. You can read more about gear and clothing here.

Cycling as a sport

Heading into cycling as a sport is a great journey. You’ll see yourself develop as an athlete, and impress yourself when you go longer, harder and faster. It takes time to develop your body to ride in the cycling position for hours, and your muscles and cardiovascular systems also improves month after month, season after season. As long as you ride consistently, you’ll keep seeing yourself improve.

Getting competitive

If you have decided on cycling as a sport, you might want to compete at some point. There are levels of competition for everyone. Ranging from hardcore racing like the Leadville Trail 100 to casual Gran Fondos, which still might be tough to finish, but the focus is on an epic experience in friendly atmosphere. You are primarily competing with yourself about setting the best time. How to get started with competitive cycling? You can learn all about racing and the training you need to do to be prepared in their respective sections.