cyclists do it in stages

There are lots of different reasons for cycling on the road and there are also several different kinds of road bikes. Remember that whatever reason you are cycling for, and on whatever type of bike, there are always lots of safety issues to take into consideration when road bike cycling, due to traffic and obstacles, so always be aware.

There are four main sorts of bikes for road bike cycling, they are:

• Road bikes with drop handlebars and thin tyres.
• Mountain bikes with knobbly tyres designed for off-road riding.
• Hybrid bikes, which are a combination of road and mountain bikes.
• Folding bikes, which are ideal for use in towns and cities.

What kind of bike you ride on the road is really dependent on the purpose and frequency of your use, the length of journeys you make, as well as which type of bike you feel most comfortable on.

Most general road bikes are lightweight, have drop handlebars and thin tyres. They are designed for speed so the position of the cyclist is low down and flat rather than upright as this is the most aerodynamic position. This kind of bike is definitely the fastest choice for road bike cycling and is the preferred choice for racing and experienced road bike cycling enthusiasts.

Road bikes can actually be split into two sub-categories, touring bikes and racing bikes. As the names suggest, touring bikes are ideal for long rides and cycling holidays, whereas race bikes are designed for acceleration and speed.

Touring bikes have lower gear ratios so they are suitable for carrying equipment with you on a long ride or tour. Race bikes are very light and have very rigid frames to enable the maximum transfer of power from cyclist to the wheels, and to provide a smooth ride.

A popular choice of road bike for commuters, people generally trying to keep fit and people cycling for leisure are hybrid bikes. These are basically a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. They have fast turning wheels like a road bike, but the cyclist’s position is more upright than a road bike and more like a mountain bike position. This is because they have flat handlebars.

Hybrid bikes are easy to handle, with a wide range of gears that enable you to deal with changes in speed or gradient relatively easily, but they have wide tyres like a mountain bike. These enable you to ride off-road when necessary. They are a comfortable choice for general road bike cycling and leisurely rides.

Mountain bikes can also be adapted to road cycling if you already have one and would like to cycle on the road without another big expense. To adapt a mountain bike you can just change your tyres for narrower, smoother tyres as these will reduce resistance and make your road cycling easier and quicker.

If you cycle on the road as part of your commute to work a convenient type of bike to use is a folding bike. They are perfect if you have to use public transport as part of your journey, or if storage is a problem at work or at home. Rather than worrying where to leave your bike securely you can just fold it up and take it with you.

Whichever style of bike you favour just remember that when road bike cycling make yourself well visible to other traffic by wearing reflective clothing and use lights. Always have a light on the rear of your bike and put one on your jacket or rucksack just in case you get separated from your bike in an accident.