Everything you need to know about cycling for fitness and leisure, training for both sport and competition, and the greatest races. It is the perfect introduction to a hugely popular activity, packed with training and safety tips, essential information, maintenance and motivation. It is a fascinating guide to the world of cycling, the history, the greatest cyclists, and the famous races such as the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. From urban cycling and family cycling trips to track riding, mountain biking and road racing, this is the ultimate practical guide to cycling at all levels. It features step-by-step instruction and over 600 photographs. Pedal power has never been more popular and this book covers everything a cyclist needs to know to excel at cycling. After an overview of the history of the bicycle the author discusses all the essentials, such as choosing a bike, basic skills, maintenance and safety issues. The second part features the right equipment for touring at home and abroad and gives the lowdown on all types of bikes from sportive to racing bikes.For the more adventurous, the book then presents extreme touring, competitive performance cycling, the challenge of trail racing, and training for advanced racing. With expert advice throughout this is a must-have book for all cyclists.