Sometimes sunshine, sometimes rain. Summer or winter. Whatever the weather and whatever the season, there are keen cyclists on the road. No wonder. In recent years cycling has become a very fashionable and relatively inexpensive sport among amateurs. Cycling is a sport for everyone. You do not have to be a professional. All you need is a bike and a bit of free time to enjoy this healthy passion.
With the growing popularity of cycling, there are more and more competitions and bike races in the spring and summer season. And where there are competitions and rivalry there are prizes. Most often they are cycling medals or statuettes, which proudly present themselves on a shelf or a medal rack for cycling enthusiasts.
The most important cycling races
- The Tour de France is a multi-stage, three-week cycling race, held in France since 1903. The great prestige of this event is connected with its long history ( it is the oldest race), tradition, scale of difficulty (stages in mountainous terrain in Alps and Pyrenees, the so-called royal stage of the Tour de France) and the power of the media. Taking part in the French competitions is every rider’s dream.
- The Tour de Pologne is a multi-stage cycling race organised cyclically in Poland. Like the Tour de France, it is also a prestigious international event that has been organised since 1928. The route of the race is about 1200 kilometres leading across the whole country from the north to the south. The race does not have a fixed route – every year organisers change it, so that the competitors can get to know as many corners of the charming Poland as possible.
- Giro d’Italia is a multi-stage cycling race held in Italy since 1909. The race is held every year in May. The competition in Italy takes place mainly on the territory of this country, but there have been cases when the beginning of the competitions started in another country.
- La Vuelta a España is a cycling race organised for the first time in Spain since 1935 (it has been held continuously since 1955). The competition lasts three weeks and is divided into several stages: flat, mountain and those of medium difficulty. The course profile is not the easiest. There are a lot of hills, which means that the Spanish competition is often won by specialists in bicycle climbing.
World Cycling Championships
The World Cycling Championships have been organised since 1921. The first was held in Germany. A time trial was added to the championship programme in 1994. A mass start race for amateurs was held between 1921-1995. The winner – the rider with the title of champion – received the so-called rainbow jersey as a symbol of victory.
Cycling as a Olympics discipline
Cycling has been on the programme of Summer Olympics since 1896. Originally the competition was for men only, but in 1984 the Los Angeles Games saw the first time women’s road cyclist event. In the following years new disciplines were added in which women already participated. The Olympic cycling programme consists of: the mass start and individual time trial in road cycling, the sprint, the team sprint, keirin, omnium and team pursuit in track cycling, the cross country race in mountain biking and BMX race. Currently all disciplines are held for both women and men.
Facts and myths about cycling
Many interesting myths and rumours have arisen around cycling. Some of them may be funny. Others are sure to surprise those not involved in the sport. Here are some of them.
it's true!
- Cyclists always have smooth and shaved legs – riders usually shave their legs so as not to expose themselves to extra pain when changing a bandage. And accidents are not hard to come by in this sport.
- Cyclists eat a lot of pasta – pasta is a source of complex carbohydrates that slowly release energy into the body, so the rider has the strength to pedal longer and feel full,
- The bike won’t tip over while riding – a bike let loose on its way out without a rider, will ride on its own until it loses speed.
- Bicycles do not need to have lights at the front or rear – cyclists are not obliged to ride with their lights 24 hours a day. However, they must have reflective elements, e.g. on bicycle accessories or clothing.
It's false
- Cyclists must wear black shorts – cyclists can wear shorts of any colour. However, black shorts look the most aesthetically pleasing and are often chosen by riders.
- Wearing a bicycle helmet causes your head to overheat – the helmets use polystyrene sponge, which is also used as part of the construction of portable fridges, plus the helmets have ventilation holes that allow your scalp to breathe.
- Cyclists have disproportionately grown legs – regular cycling does not grow legs. It is the muscles that become more flexible and the body sculpture will improve.
- You can’t ride a mountain bike on the road – unless you are a professional rider it doesn’t matter. A mountain bike is suitable for riding on any surface.
- A bicycle cannot be insured – insurance companies provide insurance for both the bicycle and the cyclist.
Medals for cycling competitions
Are you organising a cycling competition and looking for medals and statuettes for your competitors? Would you like your cycling medals to have an unconventional shape such as a bike, sprocket, cyclist or maybe a helmet? Nothing simpler, we offer medals of any shape in full colour, and the unique 3D print will make the medal a unique souvenir for the competitor.
Join the group of satisfied customers of our company, choose and order products from the Modern Forms offer. We make sports medals, commemorative medals, statuettes, openers, pins and key rings.
When starting cooperation with our company you can count on the full support of our sales department. Before starting the realisation of the order, we provide advice and experience, so you can be sure that the medals ordered will fully meet your expectations.
A modern, in-house production line, an experienced team and unique, custom-made designs make us one of the leading medal manufacturers in Poland. Every year we produce thousands of projects, which are sent to customers from Poland and all over the world.
If you are looking for a medal manufacturer for your event, take this opportunity, you can count on a free design and its visualisation to make your decision easier. Contact with us.
