Take Your Bike

Vocabulary/new concepts:

The Tour de France is an annual multi-stage cycling race for men, held primarily in France and usually lasting three weeks. It is the oldest of the three Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España). It is distinguished by its difficulty and is considered the most prestigious. It includes mountain stages, individual paces and team races.

The yellow jersey is worn by the leader throughout the race and is valued the highest. The rider with the best overall time from the different stages in the race is the overall winner. Wearing the yellow jersey and keeping it until the finish in Paris is a recognition of the rider’s outstanding physical and mental qualities.

The green jersey is awarded to the best sprinter in the race who has scored the most points in the intermediate finals and stages. At the end of each stage, points are awarded to the first, second, etc. place finishers. During a stage, a competitor may receive a different number of points depending on the complexity and importance of the stage, even for passing certain checkpoints the fastest – usually two for the stage.

The red dots jersey is for the King of the Mountains – the best climber in the competition who scored the most points on the mountain stages. At the top of each mountain pass, points are awarded to the fastest riders, with harder places to climb bringing more points.

The white jersey is similar to the yellow jersey but is for the best young rider who is under 25 years of age on January 1 of the year in which the race is held.

Peloton – a large group of cycling riders who ride together on the course and represent the main group. This group of riders are from different teams, they do not have common goals and strategies for success, and each strives individually to finish the race in competition with the others.

Riding “against the clock” – a term in cycling, riding a strictly defined route to achieve the fastest time. Can be individual and/or team.

The bicycle – history and modernity

The bicycle is one of the best-known and oldest methods of transport. Even today there are a huge number of people all over the world who use bicycles to travel. Cycling is also seen as a worthy exercise to get fit. Cycling is encouraged to protect the environment and reduce pollution caused by motor vehicles.

The history of the bicycle began in 1817 when the German Baron Karl von Dreis created the “fast walking machine”. This wooden structure had no pedals and was propelled by the feet by pushing off the ground.

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Draisine_or_Laufmaschine%2C_around_1820._Archetype_of_the_Bicycle._Pic_01.jpg/220px-Draisine_or_Laufmaschine%2C_around_1820._Archetype_of_the_Bicycle._Pic_01.jpg

In the following decades, many developments related to human-powered vehicles appeared – tricycles or quadricycles, which, although pedal-powered, are heavy and have a high resistance to movement.

Four-wheeled bicycle 1886.
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Bicycle_two_1886.jpg/220px-Bicycle_two_1886.jpg

The first mechanical bicycle is believed to have been the work of Scottish blacksmith Curpatrick Macmillan, who in 1839 developed a rear-wheel-drive design using mid-mounted steps connected by rods to a rear crank, similar to the transmission of a steam locomotive.

In the 1860s, French engineers created the so-called “Penny-farthing” (high wheel). It was distinguished by its characteristic large front wheel, solid tyres and a sophisticated design, with the pedals moved to the front wheel and brakes added.

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/
Ordinary_bicycle01.jpg/220px-Ordinary_bicycle01.jpg

In 1869, the New York company Pickering & Davis invented this ladies’ pedal bicycle.

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/
Velocipede_for_Ladies.png/220px-Velocipede_for_Ladies.png

At the end of the 19th century was perhaps the most important change in the history of the bicycle – the development of the safe bicycle. It changed the use and public perception of bicycles from a dangerous toy for sporty young men to an everyday means of transportation for men and women of all ages. The invention of the pneumatic bicycle tyre in 1888 and the chain transmission led to the creation of more stable and comfortable bicycles with identically sized wheels. This provided a much smoother ride on paved streets.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Whippet_Safety_Bicycle.jpg

During the first half of the twentieth century, the bicycle movement steadily grew in importance in Europe, but in the United States, it declined sharply between 1900 and 1910. Cars became the preferred means of transport. From the 1920s until 1940, most bicycles produced in the USA were for children.

In Europe, cycling remains an adult pastime. Bicycles continue to evolve to meet the diverse needs of cyclists. The bicycle is becoming a popular means of transport and sport. Different types of bicycles are emerging – mountain, urban, racing, etc. It was not until the 1930s that European cycling organisations allowed riders to use gears; until then they were forced to use a two-speed bicycle. The rear wheel had one sprocket on each side of the hub. To change gears, the cyclist had to stop, take the wheel off, flip it over, and put it back on. Once riders were allowed to use derailleurs (mechanisms that allow cyclists to change gears while riding), the time scores achieved in the races immediately improved.

In the modern era, technology continues to improve the bicycle, to create varieties maximally adapted to their use. Specialised bicycles made of lighter materials, with added electronic components and new features, are emerging.

What will the future of the bicycle surprise us with?

What are the main types of bicycles available today?

Modern bicycles differ significantly from their predecessors, having adapted over the years to the different needs of people and the different terrains of their use.

They differ in their characteristics, which are specific and suitable for certain conditions. The most common are:

• City bikes – they are sturdy and comfortable, do not develop high speed, with a comfortable seat, good shock absorbers and sturdy construction. They’re a bit heavier, but they’re easy to maintain, high on safety and cheap. They are designed for daily transport in the city and short trips.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photos/city-bike.html?filter=all&qview=82276276

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photo/black-urban-city-bike-isolated-white-background-bicycle-315896626.html

• Mountain bikes – for riding on hills, slopes, in mountainous areas and on rough terrain. They have wide tyres with grip, heavy wheels, a wide range of speeds and powerful brakes. With front or double wishbone suspension that allows rear-wheel travel as well.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photos/montainbike.html?offset=100&filter=all&qview=12862841

• Road bikes – also called runners. They are designed for fast road riding, long distances, and racing. That’s why they have a lightweight aluminium or carbon frame, and narrow tyres for less drag and reaching higher speeds.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photos/road-bike.html?filter=all&qview=346133506

• Special bikes – feature a wide variety and come in different combinations of the types listed above. For example:

– Hybrid: they are a combination of city and road bike features. They feature a more upright stance than a road bike and narrower tyres than a city bike;

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photos/hybrid-bike.html?filter=all&qview=314166914

– Trekking bikes: a hybrid between a mountain bike and a road bike. Unlike mountain bikes, trekking bikes have narrower tyres for better manoeuvrability.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photos/trekking-mountainbike.html?filter=all&qview=314166916

– BMX bikes: emerged in the early 1970s as an offshoot of motocross. They were designed for racing on dirt tracks filled with tight turns, berms and jumps. These bikes are durable, with a small and sturdy frame, often without a seat, and have large tyres with smooth grip, and special brakes. They are used for freestyle riding, where the emphasis is on acrobatics, performing tricks and stunts in parks and on the street, rather than racing.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photos/bmx-bike.html?filter=all&qview=193593304

– Electric bikes: with built-in electric motors for easier riding in urban conditions or over longer distances.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photos/e-bike.html?filter=all&qview=351389732

– Folding bicycles: construction that allows easy folding and carrying.

There are many more varieties, but when choosing a bike, we should be guided by our specific needs, what terrain we will be riding on, our physical fitness for cycling and, last but not least, what price we are willing to pay.