Page "Cycling" Paragraph 44

Shortly after the introduction of bicycles, competitions developed independently in many parts of the world.

Early races involving boneshaker style bicycles were predictably fraught with injuries.

Large races became popular during the 1890s " Golden Age of Cycling ", with events across Europe, and in the U. S. and Japan as well.

At one point, almost every major city in the US had a velodrome or two for track racing events, however since the middle of the 20th century cycling has become a minority sport in the US whilst in Continental Europe it continues to be a major sport, particularly in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

The most famous of all bicycle races is the Tour de France.

This began in 1903, and continues to capture the attention of the sporting world.