On 7^th July the 105^th Tour De France Cycling event will be kicking off in Noirmoutier-en-I’lle, before eventually coming to a halt on 29^th July on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, taking in 3,329km with only two rest days.  The shortest stage is a barely noticeable 35km to cover time trials, whilst the longest stage is set for 13^th July where riders will cover 231km from Fougeres to Chartres.

Whilst the Tour de France may seem a little extreme, there is no doubt that cycling is an invigorating and liberating experience.  Arguably one of the biggest benefits is that it is the sort of sporting activity you can do regardless of age, and it can equally be tailored to your own personal preferences and abilities.  As such, it is the sort of activity that can easily be enjoyed by entire families at the weekend.

Not only is cycling an opportunity to have fun and get some exercise, but it is also a great mode of transportation.  How many times have you been stuck in a traffic jam, and seen a cyclist whizz past you, and envied them their freedom?  How many times have you wondered what damage all those exhaust fumes are causing our environment?  Cycling is a great way to combat these issues.

Are you new to cycling?

If the last time you rode a bike was when you were 13, then don’t worry.  There’s no better time to start picking up the old habits again (apparently, it’s a lot like riding a bike). You don’t need to spend fortunes on your first bike, especially if you are not planning on covering much ground in it.  Perhaps tackling the school run, or the commute to work or the shops, at first.

If you are buying a cheap, or second-hand bike, do consider having it serviced before you use it, just to make sure that it is entirely road worthy. If you are buying new, take the time to speak to the experts in the bike shop to find out what they recommend. Explain where you’