British Cycling is the best place to start if you're new to it - use the Find a Ride tool to connect with a local cycling club and ride with a British Cycling 'Trained Leader'. For more experienced cyclists, you can also find out more about becoming a coach or a Trained Leader.

With a host of different forms of cycling, both indoor and outdoor, there is something for everyone, whatever your capability or aspiration.

Commuting

Sick of being stuck in traffic? Desperate for some fresh air? Want to save money and get fit? Commuting to and from work on your bike has myriad benefits and, for many people, it's the realistic option for fitting training around job and family commitments. There are lots of helpful hints and tips on the British Cyclingwebsite on how to get started and how to keep you safe on the busy rush hour roads.

Family Bike Ride

It's rare to see a family out cycling together who aren't all grinning like Cheshire Cats. Whether you go to a local park or a bit further afield, it's the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon. Use the route finder to choose a route with quieter roads or cycle paths to avoid busy areas with traffic then put on your helmets and have fun!

Road Cycling

Road racing demands great endurance, power, technical skill and tactical know-how. The ability to ride comfortably and safely in a bunch of riders is perhaps the most essential skill of road racing. It has a strong club-based culture, so a great place to start is by joining a club which regularly runs training rides on public roads. As road racing is a team-based pursuit, it is an excellent way to develop communication skills and learn to work effectively with other people.

Mountain Biking

There are four main mountain bike disciplines, with the downhill and 4-cross requiring nerve, fitness and great bike control as competitors hurtle down hazard-strewn tracks. The cross-country - which is used in the Olympics - and enduro/marathon put the emphasis more on sheer physical fitness. The strain of keeping the bike in motion over long distances of challenging terrain increases the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and improves endurance.

Track Cycling

Track cycling sees competitors battle it out at high speeds along the steep wooden banking of the velodrome. Riders use special bikes and ride anticlockwise around the track in a range of events, from endurance-based pursuits over several kilometres - the aim being to outpace a rival rider or team - through to the cagey, strategy-based individual sprint.

Inclusive Cycling

Paracycling takes various forms, including standard track and road cycling alongside handcycling, where competitors power the bike with their hands and arms. Tandem bikes are used for blind or visually impaired athletes and their assistants. Visit British Cycling to find info about Para-cycling classifications.CTC, the national cycling charity, also have some great information about inclusive cycling and adapted bikes.

BMX

BMX has come a long way from the skate parks and dirt roads it was first popularised in Britain in the 1980s. Over a series of qualifying heats, riders have to navigate a course full of humps, bumps and jumps while trying to outmanoeuvre - and avoid crashing into - their opponents. Whether practising to compete in races or perform tricks, BMX boosts self-discipline, motivation, self-esteem and confidence in addition to strength building and all-round body conditioning.

Just for women

Whether you're a total beginner, looking to ride more regularly, or want to enjoy cycling as a means of socialising, Breeze - the flagship programme of bike rides just for women - is the place to go. It aims to help thousands more women feel confident and comfortable about getting on a bike.

Cyclo-cross

Battling across a mud-splattered assault course on a bike - that's cyclo-cross. It's immense fun and very accessible: there are well-organised leagues all over the UK, boasting racing categories from under 12 to over 50. Courses often feature obstacles such as hurdles and sand pits, forcing riders to dismount and carry or run with their bikes. To get involved, explore⠼/span>British⠼/span>Cycling's dedicated cyclo-cross pages.

Coaching and volunteering

Whether you have been a competitor in the past or just have a keen interest in developing talent, British Cycling provides all the information you need about coaching opportunities. You can also try Sports Coach UK for more ideas.

Or use your skills to help a local club - British Cycling,Volunteer Scotland,Join In UK,Sport Wales,Sport England,Volunteer Nowand Sport NI all have information about volunteering opportunities near you.

Aspire to be like: Rachel Atherton

1. Go to our Activity Finder to get into cycling near you

2. Contact Find your local club by using British Cycling's club finder.

3. Share your story and inspire others