| Road Riding | Cyclocross | Mountain Biking |
| All on the road, focuses on speed or endurance based on duration, great for rides with friends and workouts alike. The most common form of cycling generally | A mixed terrain sport where grass, sand, mud, and road are all involved, very fast paced and focused on technique on the bike. | In the woods/tough terrain and requires knowledge and technique to navigate the difficult terrain, can be difficult but is also very fun once you get better at it. |
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Cycling is a popular sport that involves riding a bicycle, whether for leisure or competively. Cycling is really good for you as a source of cardio. There are lots of different ways to partake in the sport, whether it be for commuting, riding for leisure, or competing against others in races. Additionally there are many different kinds of cycling, between road riding, mountain biking, and cyclocross. Cycling is a really fullfilling sport that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
I have been cycling, both for leisure and sport, since I was young. I have competed in many different kinds of bike racing including cyclocross, mountain biking, and crit racing. Additionally I have participated in a fund-raising event known as the PMC where we raise money for Dana Farber and cancer research then go on a long road ride that comprised a metric century. Cycling is close to my heart since it is something that I can connect to my Dad and sister with and is something we do as a family. While I have participated less in the recent past, I love hearing about my sisters victories and accomplishments in the world of racing (My sister is very good). While I no longer race, I still enjoy cycling for leisure/exercise with my family.
All you need to enjoy cycling as a leisure and exercise activity is a bike and a helment (safety is key). Bikes can be pricey but certain organizations do try to make cycling accessable to everyone (such as bike newport), especially for kids and adolescents. If you want to participate for sport there is a higher barrier to entry but a decent kit and a way to pay to enter races is the bare bones of what you need, with joining teams also being a possibility (or starting yout own).
Finding about local teams in your area is a great start, but if you looking into more about the sport in general, but watching events like nationals for individual sports of even the Tour de France can be good ways to see the sport in action. If you are local to the East Bay aread of Rhode Island, take a look at teams such as Aquidneck Cyclocross and Swamp Yankees for cyclocross and Mountain Biking respectivly.