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Cycling is a fun and enjoyable way for you to exercise on your own, or with friends and family. Cycling also helps contribute enormously to weight loss, bringing with it a whole heap of added health benefits for you.
Alongside physical health benefits, bike rides are also great for your mental wellbeing. There is solid evidence that being on a bike is a fantastic way to help de-stress and clear your mind by facilitating the release of feel good hormones.
Furthermore, cycling to work can also dramatically reduce your carbon footprint on both a local and global level, for cycling to your place of work will help contribute to cleaner, better air where you live and consequently reduce the level of pollution impacting the climate globally.
If you don’t currently own a bike, or are looking to buy a new one and are unsure of what to buy, Which have a fantastic guide to help find the perfect bike for you.
WHAT NOW?
To help get you started, we have put together comprehensive breakdown of information relating to the variety of different cycling disciplines available, the subsequent opportunities and facilities within the city and all the details as to how you can get involved below!
IS INDOOR CYCLING AVAILABLE IN MANCHESTER?
Yes! Manchester is home to the world renowned HSBC National Cycling Centre. The Centre was Britain's first indoor Olympic cycling track, and since it opened in 1994, has become one of the World's finest and fastest board tracks. The track is in constant use seven days a week and, thanks to the comprehensive programme of activities for all levels of ability, it is one of the busiest in the world. Regular users of the track include members of the very successful GB track cycling team, such as Jason & Laura Kenny, as well as local schoolchildren and track enthusiasts.
WHAT IS A VELODROME?
In its most common form, a velodrome is an embanked cycling track. The track, most commonly constructed of wood if indoors, often features 45-degree embankments on each end and is 250 meters in circumference. They can vary in distance circumference (between 150 and 500 meters), the degree of the banked ends can fluctuate and there are both indoor and outdoor options.
IS VELODROME TRACK CYCLING AVAILABLE FOR BEGINNERS?
The HSBC National Cycling Centre track in Manchester is in constant use seven days a week and, thanks to the comprehensive programme of activities for all levels of ability, from elite athletes to novices, the track offers sessions to anyone seeking to experience this exciting sport. Novices riders will be coached in stages on how to access the track safely and ride the track amongst other solo riders. Once you've completed a few Tasters, and would love to carry on, you may consider moving through the Centre’s follow up programme known as Accreditation Stage 1 Session, helping you to further develop your skills and techniques. Once passed, you will then be invited to attend Regular Riders and Stage 2 as an Intermediate rider.
If you're interested in signing up to a Taster session, or signed up already and want to know more, the Centre has provided some information for you to read before your first session and also answer any other queries you may have around track cycling. Visit here to find out more.
HOW DO I BOOK?
For full information on booking, visit the website or contact the centre directly on 0161 223 2244.
Where can I cycle in Manchester?
If you’re unsure of where to cycle, Komoot have put together a comprehensive list of cycle routes in and around the city. Check it out!
What is Road Cycling? Simply put, road cycling can be defined as anyone choosing to ride their bike on a paved surface such as a tarmac road or street whether the purpose is for commuting (which we will detail later), exercise, racing, touring or recreating. However firstly, we’re going to focus on the type of road cycling associated with long distance, endurance riding.
Due to the long distances, you’ll need to ensure you come prepared. Essential items include:
Mountain Biking (MTB)
Can I go Mountain Biking in Manchester?
Yes! There are plenty of spots to cycle in and around Manchester! Why not check out the activity finder below or visit the MCRactive Find Places page here to find out what's avilable in your local area. Alternatively, Komoot have put together a fantastic and comprehensive list of cycle routes in and around the city. Make sure to check it out!
What is Mountain Biking? Mountain biking, also known as MTB, commonly refers to act of riding a bicycle off-road. As opposed to road cycling, mountain biking often involves rough and uneven terrain, obstacles and steep winding trails. Mountain Biking offers you escape from the real world, thrusting you into the wonderful natural landscape of parks, woodlands and forests. Types of MTB can include traditional trail riding, downhill biking and trials biking.
Is it suitable for beginners? Yes! There are multiple disciplines of mountain biking appropriate for a vast array of skill levels. Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced biker, there are an abundance of fantastic bike trails to match your ability. The more comfortable you become riding off-road the more tricky the routes you can take!
Will I need to bring anything with me? Due to the long distances, you’ll need to ensure you come prepared. Essential items include:
Where can I go Downhill Mountain Biking in Manchester?
If you’re interested in Trials Biking, and want to get involved, why not check out the activity finder below or visit the MCRactive Find Places page here. Alternatively, Komoot have put together a fantastic and comprehensive list of cycle routes in and around the city. Make sure to check it out!
What is it?
Downhill MTB is a discipline of high speed mountain biking practiced on steep, off-road terrain commonly featuring a multitude of jumps, drops, rocks and obstacles.
Is it suitable for beginners?
More in common with a rally car, Downhill Bikes often come equipped with huge frames, pro suspensions and hydraulic brakes to cope with the intense speeds and difficult terrain. Despite requiring its riders to possess incredible skill, knowledge and confidence, Downhill MTB is a fantastic experience and while the dangers involved may understandably put some people off, its perfect for those of you in the hunt for a new adrenaline rush. Beginners therefore are course always welcome, but make sure you are prepared for both the time, dangers and expenses required to get involved.
Do I need anything else?
For Downhill Mountain Biking, the dangers of the sport necessitate a number of extra pieces of equipment if you’re thinking of getting involved. Essential items include:
Where can I go Trials Biking in Manchester?
If you’re interested in Trials Biking, and want to get involved, why not check out the activity finder below or visit the MCRactive Find Places page here.
What isTrials Biking/MTB Trials?
Mountain Bike Trials, sometimes referred to as observed trials, is an MTB discipline where the aim of the rider is to navigate a tricky obstacle course, both natural and artificial, without setting foot to ground.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Offering an extreme test to an individual’s control over their bike, Trials requires a great deal of practice and knowledge of the sport and is therefore more tailored to individuals with more experience of MTB. Moreover, the equipment involved is very bespoke and expensive. Trial bikes commonly require thick tires, robust brakes, low gears, wide handlebars, lightweight frames and characteristic frame geometry with no recognisable seat. Therefore whilst the sport is of course open to accepting beginners, be prepared for both the time and expenses required to get involved.
Do I need anything else?
For Trials biking, the dangers of the sport necessitate a number of extra pieces of equipment if you’re thinking of getting involved. Essential items include:
BMX (Indoor and Outdoor)
Is there anywhere to ride BMX in Manchester?
Yes! Manchester has a plethora of spots to ride BMX, if you’ve got your bike and need somewhere to go ride, why not check out the activity finder below or visit the MCRactive Find Places page here
, containing a comprehensive list of BMX parks in your local area across Manchester.
What is it?
BMX, short for Bicycle Motocross, is a form of off-road cycling usually involving stunt riding and racing. Whilst Freestyle BMX focuses on stunts either in skateparks, street or dirt, BMX Racing often incorporates a combination of both stunts and racing and takes place on indoor and outdoor tracks.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes absolutely! Freestyle BMX is especially suitable for beginners as all it requires is a bike and somewhere to go ride. BMX bikes can be bought from most bike stores and are relatively inexpensive too, especially if you’re new to the sport and simply just want to practice and improve your skills.
Do I need anything else?
For BMX, the dangers of the sport necessitate a number of extra pieces of equipment if you’re thinking of getting involved. Essential items include:
Para-Cycling
Is Para-Cycling cycling available in Manchester to beginners?
Yes! The HSBC National Cycling Centre track in Manchester is in constant use seven days a week and, thanks to the comprehensive programme of activities for all levels of ability, from elite athletes to novices, the track offers sessions to anyone seeking to experience this exciting sport including the SIMTECH Fuelling Disability Cycling sessions. See more information about the session here.
What is it?
Para-cycling is a category of cycling specifically modified for cyclists with disabilities. The competitions comprise four groups of handicaps (handcycling, people with cerebral palsy, blind and visually impaired riders and locomotor disabilities) and a total of 14 functional categories for men and women in all the age categories defined by the governing body for Para-Cycling known as Union Cycliste Internationale or ‘UCI’. Depending on their functional abilities, each rider is then allocated to a suitable category. Para-Cycling takes place both on the track and on the road for a total of seven events. See list below:
NATIONAL CYCLING CENTRE
Manchester is the home of British Cycling and The National Cycling Centre (NCC). Almost all cycling disciplines can be accessed within the city itself – which is amazing! Take a look at the many opportunities the National Cycling Centre has to offer: http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/
We have two BMX tracks in the city, an indoor track within the National Cycling Centre as well as an outdoor track in Platt Fields Park which is located in Fallowfield, South Manchester. More information can be found: http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/bmx/
For more information on the Track cycling offer in the velodrome: http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/track/
For information about Clayton Vale Mountain Bikes Trails & Philips Park Mountain Bike Skills zone: http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/mtb/the-mtb-trails-skills-zone/
Paracycling/Disabled Riders opportunities: http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/track/disabled-riders-paracycling/
BRITISH CYCLING
British Cycling have an offer called Go-Ride young people to be involved in clubs: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/go-ride
MCRactive support our cycling clubs in the city – assisting with club development and funding opportunities.
For more information about different events/races from British Cycling: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events?keywords=&postcode=manchester&distance=
RECREATIONAL CYCLING
We have many other recreational cycling ideas across the city, we'll be revealing this soon so stay tuned!
Activity Name | Time | Place | |
---|---|---|---|
Thursdays 17:00 - 18:00 Next SessionsThursday 28/09/2023No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Tuesdays 17:30 - 19:30 and 17:30 - 19:30 Next SessionsTuesday 03/10/2023Tuesday 10/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Tuesdays 18:00 - 19:00 and 18:00 - 19:00 Next SessionsTuesday 03/10/2023Tuesday 10/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Tuesdays 19:00 - 20:30 and 19:00 - 20:30 Next SessionsTuesday 03/10/2023Tuesday 10/10/2023 Minimum Age 16No Maximum Age Specified | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Mondays 18:00 - 19:00 and 18:00 - 19:00 Monday 02/10/2023 Tuesday 03/10/2023 Wednesday 04/10/2023 Friday 06/10/2023 Monday 09/10/2023 Tuesday 10/10/2023 Wednesday 11/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Wednesdays 17:30 - 19:00 and 17:30 - 19:00 Next SessionsWednesday 04/10/2023Wednesday 11/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Wednesdays 19:00 - 20:00 and 19:00 - 20:00 Next SessionsWednesday 04/10/2023Wednesday 11/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Wednesdays 20:00 - 22:00, 20:00 - 22:00 and 20:00 - 22:00 Next SessionsWednesday 27/09/2023Wednesday 04/10/2023 Wednesday 11/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Mondays 17:00 - 18:00 and 17:00 - 18:00 Friday 29/09/2023 Saturday 30/09/2023 Sunday 01/10/2023 Monday 02/10/2023 Thursday 05/10/2023 Friday 06/10/2023 Saturday 07/10/2023 Sunday 08/10/2023 Monday 09/10/2023 Thursday 12/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Mondays 18:00 - 19:00 and 18:00 - 19:00 Saturday 30/09/2023 Sunday 01/10/2023 Monday 02/10/2023 Thursday 05/10/2023 Saturday 07/10/2023 Sunday 08/10/2023 Monday 09/10/2023 Thursday 12/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Thursdays 18:00 - 20:00, 18:00 - 20:00 and 18:00 - 20:00 Next SessionsThursday 28/09/2023Thursday 05/10/2023 Thursday 12/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Tuesdays 10:00 - 12:00 and 10:00 - 12:00 Tuesday 03/10/2023 Friday 06/10/2023 Tuesday 10/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Mondays 20:00 - 21:00 and 20:00 - 21:00 Saturday 30/09/2023 Monday 02/10/2023 Friday 06/10/2023 Saturday 07/10/2023 Monday 09/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Fridays 19:00 - 21:00 and 19:00 - 21:00 Next SessionsFriday 29/09/2023Friday 06/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Sundays 10:00 - 11:00, 10:00 - 11:00, 12:00 - 13:00 and 12:00 - 13:00 Next SessionsSunday 01/10/2023Sunday 08/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Sundays 11:00 - 12:00 and 11:00 - 12:00 Next SessionsSunday 01/10/2023Sunday 08/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Mondays 19:00 - 20:00 and 19:00 - 20:00 Next SessionsMonday 02/10/2023Monday 09/10/2023 No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away | ||
Thursdays 17:00 - 18:00 Next SessionsThursday 12/10/2023No age restrictions stipulated | National Cycling Centre, Distance 2.05 Miles Away |