Introduction

When I was young and used to watch the Tour de France on the TV with my dad, a British man called Chris Boardman would appear every now and then with a bike from the future and a helmet shaped like a teardrop and win the opening time trial. He'd wear the race leader's yellow jersey for a few days and then, inexorably, he'd begin to moonwalk down the rankings, slipping back through the peloton like a discarded water bottle. Two weeks into the Tour, at the end of a long day's racing, presenter Gary Imlach would sigh, look down the camera and murmur what, deep down, we all already knew: Boardman overboard. He'd retired from the race.

Flash forward 10 years and British road cycling stands at the gateway to an unthinkable new era of dominance, masterminded by the Billy Beane-like figure of Dave Brailsford, British Cycling's performance director. His micromanagement of Team Sky - a largely British affair funded by enthusiast James Murdoch, of all people - contributed to Britain's haul of eight stage wins this year, and fulfilled his much-derided 2009 goal of producing a British Tour champion within five years.

And what a champion. Bradley Wiggins - reformed drinker, diehard mod, soundbite vending machine - looks absolutely nailed on for this year's sports personality of the year. Sport thrives on heroes, and true heroes, like Wiggo, have character. It's a shame the UK doesn't have more mountains to practise on, but the sheer brilliance and charisma of "Le Gentleman", as the French call him, could bring on the biggest boom British cycling has ever had.

The basics

Assuming you already know how to ride a bike (if you don't, go here), the roads of the nation are yours. Whatever wheels you own, try taking a ride out into the countryside - though make sure you take a helmet, a map, plenty of drinks, a high-vis jacket and some lights. Bikes are nostalgia machines, and few things match the sheer childish joy of freewheeling down a deserted road on a summer's day. Go to Dorset, perhaps - the climbs are killer but the views are magnificent. Practise riding non-handed, so you can celebrate your first stage win in style, by gripping the crossbar with your knees.

When encountering traffic: ride close to the kerb, but not too close - motorists will take it as a signal to push you around. Don't be aggressive, but hold your space. You are also a vehicle on the road, and they must treat you as such.

Health benefits

Numerous studies show that cyclists live longer. This could be due to the cardiovascular benefits of the activity, or to the fact that cycling has been known to help alleviate depression. As a low-impact exercise, it can be good for those recovering from injury.

Equipment, costs and practicalities

There are basically two types of bikes for road cycling. First is the hybrid, which is like a streamlined mountain bike, good for city riding and also long-distance endurance rides. Second is your full-on racing bike complete with lightweight frame and jet-pack. Any road cyclist worth their salt will possess the second, but if you're just starting out you could do worse than a humble hybrid. Around £300 is the minimum for a new bike of good quality. Try your local independent bike shop, where the staff are paid to know what they're talking about.

Decent racing bikes go for more because quality lightweight materials cost a bit. Again, ask the experts behind the counter and don't be afraid of shopping around and doing your research online. If you decide to purchase secondhand, ask for documentation and a detailed history to determine it isn't stolen. Helmets should cost £30 minimum, while a decent set of lights come in at around £15.

Trendiness rating: 10/10

If cycling is the coolest sport in the world, and we're the best nation at it, then we must the best nation in the world. Don't look at me - that's just logic. Simple logic.

Inside line

Matt Winston, British Cycling: "Road cycling is a very simple sport to get into - you can do it anywhere and all you need is a bike. A helmet is strongly recommended, a bike in roadworthy condition is essential, and the kit – it's up to you! You can go out for a ride in general sportswear or go for Lycra if you're looking at riding longer distances in more comfort.

"There are plenty of organised rides for beginners through goskyride.com to help you build more confidence on the roads and to try out riding with a group. There are hundreds of road cycling clubs that you can get involved with to explore further and put in more training – you can find your nearest using the British Cycling club finder."

Find out more

britishcycling.org.uk - the home of British Cycling.

letour.fr - official website of road cycling's greatest event.

A clip montage of the great Spanish cyclist Miguel Indurain

You may also like

Triathlon, athletics.

You might hate

Boxing, badminton.

Over to you

Are you a road cyclist? Help us build up this resource by sharing tips, videos, links to clubs and anything else that beginners might find useful.