How does cycling compare to running?

sparkins1972

I was speaking to someone at work last week who is a long distance runner who regularly runs 10ks, half and full marathons. His regular 'long' run at a weekend is around 12 miles. this compares to my long ride of 60 odd miles each weekend.

In terms of endurance and effort, how do the two sports compare? For example what is an equivalent distance on a bike to a running marathon?

schweiz

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12728313

Falconar

Depends a lot on how you're riding, I guess. I'm a reasonably fit cyclist and runner, and reckon my usual weekend 10k run is harder than a typical 50k on the bike - with cycling it's much easier to adjust your pace, take a bit of a breather, eat, etc. But the effort's higher for running in that case.

I reckon the best comparison is between (semi-competitive) running and a time-trial on the bike. In that respect, i'd say a 10-mile road race is similar to a 25-mile TT, both would be about 1:10-1:15 hard effort for me.

sparkins1972

thanks for that Schweiz and falconar

desmosedici

I ain't never seen a serious runner smiling while running.

Ben6899

desmosedici wrote:

I ain't never seen a serious runner smiling while running.

If you're smiling, then you're doing it wrong. Whether you're on the bike or in a pair of Asics...

desmosedici

Ben6899 wrote:

desmosedici wrote:

I ain't never seen a serious runner smiling while running.

If you're smiling, then you're doing it wrong. Whether you're on the bike or in a pair of Asics...

Oh, I do apologise sir. I must have mistaken that look of abject terror on my face during that 75 km/h descent for happiness.

Ben6899

newtez2

iV been running now for 4 years and cycling for as long as i can remeber
And running is a lot harder on the body! iv done shed loads of half marathons and a handful of full marathons, all have hurt!!!
Even a fast 10k can hurt like hell for a few days after, suppose its all to do with how fit your really are on the day of the race and how much trainning you have done,

stronginthesun

desmosedici wrote:

I ain't never seen a serious runner smiling while running.

haile gebrselassie

dodgy

stronginthesun wrote:

desmosedici wrote:

I ain't never seen a serious runner smiling while running.

haile gebrselassie

Bless you.

pickled

I'd compare a flat out 10k run with a 10m TT in terms of effort.
After the 10k run though I can hardly walk for a couple of days afterwards.
Nothing I've yet done on a bike comes close.
In short, cyclings far easier, and the guy above is right, I can't remember the last time I smiled whilst running...
Entering a series of Duathlons over the winter, that should wipe the smile off on the bike too!

stfc1

How does cycling compare to running? Cycling is more fun!

neeb

Cycling's only easier than running if you don't put as much effort in. It's more difficult to push as hard on a bike because you can always stop pedaling and keep moving, whereas if you stop running you just.... stop.

Presumably at the end of the day, 3 hours on a bike with an average HR of 80% of maximum must be much the same in cardiovascular terms as 3 hours running with the same average HR.

bendertherobot

Cycling is more fun, you get better routes in a limited time, it has less impact.

I did London this year. 3rd full marathon on top of loads of others.

When I started "fitness" I lost around 5 stone running.

But plateaued. Training for the marathon I lost around 3 pounds.

Since then bike only. Lost a stone. Go figure.

stronginthesun

each to their own eh ? but as ive found out cycling is more expensive .

ChrisSA

stronginthesun wrote:

each to their own eh ? but as ive found out cycling is more expensive .

Definitely.

I've seen some info that shows 1 mile swimming = 4 miles running = 16 miles cycling. Obviously this depends on weight, whether you coast etc. Running burns roughly 100 calories a mile (1 banana).

On a recent 30 mile ride I burnt the same amount of calories as a recent 10 miles run. So a 75 mile sportive to a Century is equivalent to a marathon. That said, I think I'd rather do a 75mi sportive than a marathon.

What amazed me the most was how unportable my running fitness was when it came to cycling. The cardio is OK, but I tended to reach the lactate threshold in the legs very quickly (off road uphill). Getting easier now though.

potters1863

Used to run and now cycle.

comes down to fitness, I tried a run on holiday and was rubbish. If I had tried to cycle as I do now a couple of years ago then that would have been poor as well.

Have been more drained following a 75 mile hilly cycle ride than any run I have done. You can have a rest on a bike but if you keep up the tempo then the 4-1 ratio would be about right in my experience.

I am a bit older now so that may be part of it as well.