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Cycling has undergone a remarkable evolution from its humble beginnings in the 19th century to become one of the most popular and practiced sports disciplines worldwide. The history of cycling is marked not only by technological advances and sporting achievements, but also by the sport’s adaptation to social and cultural changes over time. Today, cycling has reached new dimensions with the possibility of being practiced indoors through indoor cycling, a trend that has gained popularity in recent years. But before we get to this point, let’s see how were the first steps of this sport and its evolution until today.
Origin of cycling: the first steps
The origin of cycling dates back to the invention of the velocipede, the forerunner of the modern bicycle, which was created by the German Baron Karl von Drais in 1817. This early version, known as the “walking machine,” was a two-wheeled vehicle without pedals powered solely by the movement of the rider’s legs as he pushed his feet against the ground. Although rudimentary, the draisine – as it was also known – was a breakthrough in transportation technology at the time. However, the next step in the evolution of the bicycle came in 1839, when Scottish inventor and blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan added pedals to the rear wheel, allowing cyclists to move forward without the need to push the vehicle with their feet. This invention, although limited in its use, represented a fundamental change that made continuous pedaling possible. Over the following decades, other inventors, such as Pierre Michaux and Eugène Meyer, contributed to the improvement of bicycles by adding iron wheels and more efficient mechanisms, which made the bicycle more popular and accessible.
History of cycling as a sport
Now, what is the history of cycling as a sport? Cycling began to consolidate as a sport in the second half of the 19th century, specifically in Europe, where the first bicycle competitions were organized. In 1868, the first bicycle race was held in Paris, which marked the beginning of competition in this sport and was organized by the Oliver brothers in the Saint-Cloud park. Over the next few decades, cycling events multiplied, but the most important of all came in 1896 when it was first included as a discipline in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens.
Of course, as the bicycle improved, cyclists began to challenge the limits of speed and endurance. And in 1903, the Tour de France, one of the world’s most important and prestigious competitions, was born, attracting the attention of thousands of fans and cementing cycling as an elite sport. At the same time, other major international events began to take place, such as the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, forming what is now known as the Grand Tours, the three most important competitions in professional cycling, with three-week road cycling stage races.
Cycling: history and technological evolution
Cycling continued to evolve in terms of technology, with the incorporation of lighter and stronger materials. In the early 20th century, bicycles were mostly made of steel, but as time progressed, materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber began to be used, the latter being stronger and lighter, which allowed for a significant reduction in the weight of bicycles and improved performance. In addition to advances in bicycle materials, cycling also saw innovations in components. Early racing bicycles featured fixed gears, but over time shifting systems were introduced, allowing riders to adapt to different types of terrain more efficiently – and for different modes or mountain competitions to emerge. Improved brakes, wheels and tires also contributed to the development of cycling as a professional sport.
Cycling today
Now that you know the history of cycling, the origin of bicycles and its consolidation as a sport, you will also know that today cycling is a globally recognized sport, both in its professional and amateur modality. There are thousands of events held annually around the world, and it continues to be a discipline in constant evolution. Whether on asphalt or indoors, cycling continues to be a sport that encourages self-improvement and the enjoyment of physical activity, allowing more people to join the cycling community regardless of their level or location.
Indoor cycling: the future of training
In recent decades, cycling is no longer limited to the roads and trails outdoors. Thanks to advances in technology and the growing demand for accessible and comfortable workouts, indoor cycling has gained popularity. Indoor workouts, previously limited to stationary bikes, have evolved tremendously with the emergence of devices that perfectly simulate the outdoor cycling experience, such as ZYCLE’s ZBike 2.0, one of the most advanced cycling machines available today. Modern indoor cycling goes beyond simply pedaling a stationary bike. There are platforms such as ROUVY or BKOOL that have created virtual worlds in which cyclists can compete and train interactively without leaving home. These cycling platforms or simulators use smart trainers that automatically adjust resistance according to the terrain or route profile, offering an experience much closer to that of a moving bike, as is the case with ZYCLE’s smart bike, which is compatible with leading cycling simulators.
Users can join events and competitions in real time, which has enabled many cyclists to maintain their motivation and improve their performance, even during winter or on bad weather days. In addition, indoor cycling has also become an excellent option for those who want to train efficiently and safely without having to expose themselves to the dangers of traffic or inclement weather. With the growing number of people looking for ways to stay active without having to leave the house, indoor cycling classes, whether in-person or virtual, have proliferated around the world. The use of state-of-the-art exercise bikes has made this type of training more attractive, as it combines physical activity with the possibility of accessing live guided classes, motivating music and a social component through interaction with other users.
