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The recent string of consecutive victories by Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France has made the sport of cycling and road bikes more popular in the public's eye. Cycling's new audience is drawn to the feats of endurance, the incredibly high speeds, and the competitive finishes. The fact that riders are able to achieve such speed and agility on such a seemingly light and flimsy machine owes to the road bikes' unique design.
First of all, its light frame reduces the amount of weight riders need to carry up steep inclines. Secondly, thin tires reduce friction and improve aerodynamics, allowing the rider to reach the highest speeds. Finally, the curved handlebars encourage riders to assume a crouched position, reducing wind resistance. And while these are the basic features of a road bike, improvements can be made: lighter metals can be used for the frame or electronic gear shifters can be attached.
Races can be structured in a variety of formats. The Tour is an example of a stage race in which the winner is the rider who accumulates the least amount of time by the final stage; other honors are awarded to individual stage victors, the best mountain climber, and the best sprinter. Races can also take place in a single day. These courses can range in length from several kilometers long to a relatively short circuit that is repeated. Short circuit races are called criteriums and are more popular in North American racing circles.
Cycling owes its roots to a German by the name of Karl von Drais. His 1817 two-wheeled contraption relied on feet for locomotion. Improvements in later years substituted metal for his wooden frame, provided pedals, and mounted rubber tires on wheels with wire spokes. Road bikes eventually transformed shapes to accommodate new styles of riding; mountain bikes can ride on dirt trails and the BMX bike can perform tricks. And while road bikes have come to be used for a variety of activities, including leisure and commuting, their most exciting purpose remains under the skilled hands of a racer.
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