I'am sure like me you?ve seen someone riding a bicycle on the street or parked nearby. While driving down the street or walking with your dog or travelling halfway across the world you can bicycle everywhere. Let?s understand the meaning of the word ?bicycle? What is a bicycle? So, a bicycle, if we just look at the word it is broken up in to two prefix and suffix. The prefix is ?bi?, which means two and suffix is ?cycle? actually comes from or derived from a Greek word called,? kyklos's.

Which means circle wheel, so two circle wheels. A bicycle. So, let?s understand the proper definition of a bicycle. The definition of bicycle is a vehicle that is composed of two wheels held at two ends, propelled by petals and guided with handlebars attached to the front wheels. So, as we now understood what a bicycle is. Let?s think about what gave a person an idea to make this thing?

Who invented it? So, if we have a look at the picture mentioned down here, we will come to know about the fine gentleman named Karl Von Drais. So, Karl Von Drais went to Heidelberg university which is in Germany. He studied math and physics and a load of other stuff like agriculture and architecture. After that he actually went to civil service and became a forester. After that I believe he climbed the ranks from there and then got commissioned from all his work and became an inventor. And this picture with Karl Von Drais is one of his invention. So, do you know what is the name of that invention? In English it is known as Velocipede also called a running machine, hobby horse, but most commonly it?s referred to as a Dandy horse. And this thing was built in 1817, so when you look at this thing it?s made out of wood. And what really interesting is that he made the wheels for it, he made the frame, a stem and kind of like a handlebar, a seat. The one thing he didn?t made was a pedal, this was a human propelled vehicle, there weren?t any pedals yet to be made on it. Since, 300 years have passed since this thing was invented and bicycles have transformed into different styles of riding. Now, We are going to talk about some bicycles. Recreational bike: It?s not too sophisticated, it?s actually pretty basic, but you had mainly used it when you are ridding around the neighborhood, the friends or going on some very simple, easy trails, nothing too crazy. Touring bike: It usually has 700c wheel and uses drop handlebars .it has frame mounts for racks and panniers and a relaxed geometry with a more upright position and is designed for long days in the saddle so it gives you a more upright position. So, this bike is good for long distances, and for carrying cargo. Race bike: Race bike has lightweight frame tubing, drop bar handlebars, integrated brake/shift levers and has a steeper frame geometry. It also uses 700c wheel Time-trial bike: Time-trial bike has aerodynamic frame tubing, handlebars with extension, separate shifters and break levers and features a more relaxed frame geometry designed for stability with more weight over the front wheel which is also a 700c wheel. Cyclocross bike: It has a frame and fork designed to use with special offer out 700-seat tires it also uses a drop handlebar often. You will see custom gear setups and break setups. It will have cantilever, v-break or disc brake compatible. It has a somewhat relaxed geometry design for off-road use and a higher bottom bracket for greater clearance. Off-roading bike: Also referred to as a mountain bike, and so you mainly use this bike in an extreme sport like, downhill mountain biking. But it just has multiple gear sets and allows you to ride off trails really easily. BMX bike: BMX bike has lightweight frame, aluminum or carbon. It has skinny tires and is made for racing on a BMX track. These are really cool if you ever been to a skate park. It?s really interesting to watch some really good professional riders riding them. So, as we now know different bikes, we know that they pertain to different parts in our lives; whether we are hanging out with friends or doing something a bit dangerous, like downhill mountain biking, or BMX-ing in a skate park, or using our road bike in a cyclist race. But mainly one question I guess to ask is why? Why is it important to understand how a bike works? Well, understanding how a bike works will give you an information to responsibly own one, be able to work on it yourself, and in the long run, hopefully just saves your money and keep you fit. Like I said before, it?s just good to understand and it?s a simple skill I feel like most people don?t understand.