"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking."

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, writing in an 1896 edition of Scientific American, wasn’t wrong about the appeal of cycling. It’s an appeal that, more than 100 years later, has made cycling one of South Africa’s fastest growing sports.

Just look at the figures. The Argus Cycle Tour is the country’s largest one-day sporting event and entries close fast. Also the first Cape Epic, an eight-day mountain biking event, was booked out within three days. And now, it's tough to get an entry unless you are one of the lucky lottery winners.

But why is cycling proving to be so popular among South Africans?

'Participation crazy'

Apart from the relaxing effect described by Conan Doyle, Cape Epic Race Director Kevin Vermaak suggests that "South Africans are participation crazy".

He also adds that, as a nation, we are attracted to challenges — which is certainly one way of describing the Cape Epic (900km of rugged terrain) or the Argus Tour (109km around the Cape Peninsula).

Over and above the appeal of mass events, we’ve become increasingly aware of personal fitness and healthy living.

Cycling provides an ideal way of improving overall fitness, with just 10 minutes a day being enough to help muscle tone, circulation and body joints.

A recent German study also found that 30 minutes of cycling a day can improve the heart’s condition, while 50 minutes stimulates the metabolism in burning off body fats. The back muscles and spinal column are also strengthened, while avoiding the knee strain caused by running.

Cycling and the sex drive...

And then there are the studies on cycling and sex. According to an article by Joe Kita, cycling can help to make us better lovers by improving blood circulation, increasing sex drive, lowering stress levels, improving endurance, boosting endorphin levels and increasing the size of those appropriate muscles.

Despite such enlarging effects, cycling’s popularity probably has more to do with its broad appeal and diversity. Like many other sports, cycling caters for social participants who like the occasional relaxing ride to full-blown fanatics willing to spend up to R50 000 on a customised road bike. But, unlike many other sports, cycling offers a range of different disciplines, encompassed in the road, mountain and stationary/spinning varieties.

On the road again

Apart from the Argus tour — the world’s largest individually timed cycle race — South Africa features a complete calendar of rides throughout the year. Most, like Johannesburg’s Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, are aimed at all cyclists. Often organisers may include two or three separate routes to appeal to different levels of fitness, experience — or laziness. Events are held on weekends throughout the year, although most take place during the summer months.

Even though each province has a number of cycling clubs, you don’t need to be a member to start cycling. Find a quiet route, start off slowly and gradually increase the distance of your rides as your fitness and comfort level increases. Like any sport, cycling uses muscles that you don’t normally use in everyday life. So, initially your legs, butt and even your back will probably feel like they’ve been through some form of medieval torture process.

Equally torturous can be the traffic. In The Motorist, the AA outlines a couple of points for braving the South African roads.

• Keep an eye on what is happening around you and be prepared to manoeuvre or stop suddenly. Be especially careful at intersections.
• Ensure that drivers can see you, point out your intentions to them by signalling, and use lights and reflective clothing when out at night.
• Always wear a helmet. By October this year, cyclists will be required by law to wear helmets when riding on South African public roads.
• Follow the rules of the road, ride in single file, and never cycle after a lengthy visit to the pub or liquor cabinet.

Climb any mountain

Off-road cycling has become increasingly popular during the past three years — largely attributed to the lack of annoyed motorists on mountain paths. But, apart from the traffic and safety considerations, mountain biking offers a peaceful, relaxing means of experiencing nature. And, although it can be a very sociable experience, mountain biking also has a challenging, competitive side that appeals to adrenaline junkies.

As a beginner, it’s a good idea to latch onto a friend who’s already a mountain biker. In addition to helping you pick your gear they’ll show you some of their favourite routes which have appeared all around South Africa.

Cape Town offers a number of single-track routes amongst the pine plantations of Tokai forest, while De Hoop National Park offers a number of routes including The Whale Trail. Swellendam nearby provides more challenging trails. The Cedarberg is also well worth checking out while the Garden Route is a mountain biker’s paradise. Try out the circular tracks in Harkerville Forest.

Port Elizabeth offers numerous dedicated trails including the Mountain Zebra trail near Cradock while KwaZulu-Natal is famous for its routes in the Drakensberg and Midlands. Johannesburg itself offers several trails including the Greenhills Mountain Bike Trail in Edenvale.

Regardless of where in South Africa you are, chances are very good that you’ll meet up with other mountain bikers doing the same trail as you. Unless they’re in the middle of a downhill time trial, they’ll point you in the direction of other trails in the area.

In a spin

With spinning replacing ‘step’ classes as the new fitness fad, gyms and specialised centres around South Africa have set up stationary cycling facilities.

Set up like a typical gym class, you sit on a bike while facing the instructor, who guides you through the session. Screens showing stages of cycle tours help to keep the motivation up and potential boredom down.

Yet, while it probably is more enjoyable to ride in the outdoors, spinning classes allow you to continue training throughout the cold, wet winter months. The class situation prevents you from slacking off — and, of course, there’s no freewheeling on the downhills.

But, if you’re worried that the classes are just for hardcore athletes, sessions have been designed to meet the goals of all kinds of participants.

Some people want a serious cardiovascular work out to improve their fitness while others are more interested in losing weight or body toning. And then there are those who simply like being seen at the gym.

If you’re one of those poseurs, or if you simply dislike the stationary bikes on offer, some facilities allow you to bring your own bicycle. You can then do the session on rollers or indoor trainers instead.

Be equipped

As with any sport, there’s some equipment you’ll need to buy before hitting the streets or mountains.

A bike is obviously the most important item of equipment you’ll need. Depending on your needs you’ll you have to decide whether you want a road or mountain bike. Mountain bikes are more rugged and versatile — suitable for roads and the bundu. But, they are heavier and, with their fatter tyres, slower on tar than their road counterparts.

If it’s a mountain bike you’re after you could fork out up to R40 000 for a top-of-the-range machine, although a good entry-level bike will cost considerably less. A reliable bike with decent brakes, gears and shock absorber will set you back about R5000.

Although road bikes are similarly priced, always ensure that you’re getting value for your money.

The accessories

A helmet is essential to protect your head in the event of a fall or accident. Although prices range from R300 to R3000, a decent helmet will set you back between R800 and R1000.

When you come unstuck, you automatically put out your hands to break the fall. Gloves will help to prevent your hands from being shredded on the rocks or tarmac. They will also help to cushion your palms during long rides. Also useful for spinning.

Cycling shorts help to prevent chafing and provide cushioning from notoriously hard saddles. Worth considering if you will be doing spinning classes.

Glasses will help to prevent loose stones from shooting up into your eyes as well as minimise damage caused by cold and wind. When riding off-road, they’ll protect your eyes from branches.

A full water bottle (stored in a frame-mounted water bottle holder) will help keep dehydration at bay — even if you’re in a spinning class.

A pump, spare tube and patch kit are essential for repairing those inevitable punctures.

Don’t forget your phone in case you’re stranded with bike problems. Money for a taxi fare could also come in handy.