Running uphill vs cycling uphill.

ben@31

When for a run today along an undulating cycle path that I frequently use.

I know I wasn't running anywhere near as fast as we cycle, but for some bizarre reason I found it easier running up the gradients than when I've cycled up them?

Am I the only person who finds this? And is there any reason why it seems harder on the bike, other than the bike is an extra 9.5 - 10kg to lug uphill?

mustgettaller

ben@31 wrote:

When for a run today along an undulating cycle path that I frequently use.

I know I wasn't running anywhere near as fast as we cycle, but for some bizarre reason I found it easier running up the gradients than when I've cycled up them?

Am I the only person who finds this? And is there any reason why it seems harder on the bike, other than the bike is an extra 9.5 - 10kg to lug uphill?

Don't know whether you're "the only one", but I generally find cycling up hills easier than running. But then again I quite like climbing hills - both running and cycling, I'm shorter than the average bear and quite stocky, so probably have a fairly higher power/weight ratio.

nawty

I've just taken up cycling but am generally pretty fit, I just cycled home from work and I swear the hills are tougher on a bike!

I guess the difference is that downhill on a bike is free whereas you still need to run downhill so the difference between the two is much bigger.

sigorman85

I find that it's harder to ride up a hill than run not sure why tho maybe it's just one of them things

typekitty

I find it easier running too. Lots of hills around here and running up them is easier (except Swain's Lane, not tried it... yet).

I think it may have something to do with not having to worry about traffic or losing power. You can just focus on keeping your feet beneath you.

Lycra-Byka

I'd guess, just a guess.... The weight of the bike needs to be propelled uphill as well as yourself. Also the bike naturally wants to roll downhill, increased effect at slower speeds too.

ricky1980

i hate running btw...hate it with a passion. when going uphill, if you don't pedal, you go backwards. so that's what i can see the difference i.e. running you can adjust your effort, cycling you have a minimum output which is required to get u up the hill. also when running we naturally shift our Centre of Gravity forward so let the gravity help us...but when cycling centre of gravy is always between the wheels therefore when going up the hill gravity is just a drag.

nolight

ben@31 wrote:

Am I the only person who finds this? And is there any reason why it seems harder on the bike, other than the bike is an extra 9.5 - 10kg to lug uphill?

That's the only reason you need!

thefd

nawty wrote:

I just cycled home from work and I swear the hills are tougher on a bike!

Tougher than what....the car!

marz

ben@31 wrote:

I know I wasn't running anywhere near as fast as we cycle, ?

You just answered your own question. Try riding up the same hill at the same speed as you run it, see if the running still feel's easier. In both scenarios you are propelling a mass up a slope, but if the speeds are different then so is the power required to move that mass. Or you could try running as fast as you ride up the hill, again see if the running is still easier.

nawty

TheFD wrote:

nawty wrote:

I just cycled home from work and I swear the hills are tougher on a bike!

Tougher than what....the car!

Ha ha, no. Compared to when I run the same route.

Mikey23

I gravitated to cycling after many years of running and was surprised how hard cycling up hill is compared with running. I thought it would be a bit of a breeze but it was actually quite a challenge to learn a different discipline. I think running is much more about even pace and effort and making sure that you can get around the course whereas cycling is much more about gut wrenching effort followed by feet up in the armchair on the way down. There are still some hills around here that I can run up but can't cycle... But that's Cornwall for you

marz

Mikey23 wrote:

I gravitated to cycling after many years of running and was surprised how hard cycling up hill is compared with running. I thought it would be a bit of a breeze but it was actually quite a challenge to learn a different discipline. I think running is much more about even pace and effort and making sure that you can get around the course whereas cycling is much more about gut wrenching effort followed by feet up in the armchair on the way down. There are still some hills around here that I can run up but can't cycle... But that's Cornwall for you

No that's gears, not Cornwall. If you can run it (5-6mph or faster) then you can ride it, if you have the gearing to do so. Are you using a triple up front?

Most cyclists I know focus on speed rather than effort (power) and so when then hit a hill they attempt to maintain as near to their flat land speed as possible. For example pedaling along at 20mph on the flat they think 10mph up a 1:10 should be no problem, whereas maintaining 10mph up a 1:10 requires almost twice as much effort as maintaining 20mph on the flat. So of course they run out of steam and start walking. The trick is to maintain an even effort and forget about pace which will be determined by terrain.

Buckled_Rims

Has anyone worked out their stride length running up a hill - and presumably timing it, then working out their gear inches on that same hill and timing that? Would be fairly interesting to see the results.

I'm going to assume my running stride is going to be less then my 39/27 gearing, which works out at 38 gear inches.

mercia_man

As a cyclist and fell runner, I reckon a good runner will often be quicker than a cyclist on a steep ascent. I sometimes run (and race) on The Wrekin in Shropshire and easily overtake mountain bikers grinding in low gears up the long steep drag to the summit. Last summer, I was cycling up a tough pass in the Ardeche in France with four panniers and camping gear when I was gradually overhauled by a road runner. I tried to keep ahead of him but couldn't. My wife and friends tell how they couldn't shake off a runner on a ride to the lighthouse on the north east tip of Majorca - they kept passing him on the descents and he kept overtaking them on the ascents.

For sheer physical effort, I would say fell running ascents are far harder than road cycling climbing. Riding up a long Alpine pass is a question of judging your effort and pacing yourself so you don't blow up. A fast endurance effort. Fell racing ascents put a strain on your lungs like nothing else.

vespario

Running it s just you and the hill. Cycling you are powering the weight of the bike as well. When running up a particularly steep hill near me I could go faster than cyclists. Sadly as a cyclist I am very slow on hilly rides. I couldn't run for 70 miles though!

ben@31

vespario wrote:

Running it s just you and the hill. Cycling you are powering the weight of the bike as well. When running up a particularly steep hill near me I could go faster than cyclists. Sadly as a cyclist I am very slow on hilly rides. I couldn't run for 70 miles though!

Same here. I find running natural and don't have a problem with it. However, when I'm cycling on the flat I'm impressed by the distance the bike covers quickly with little effort. But put a hill in the way and my cycling legs instantly get tired and stiff (there's been times where the speed bleed off so much I thought I'd end up rolling backwards down to where I started, I think it was the fact I was clipped in and couldn't put my foot down that kept me going).

ben@31

marz wrote:

No that's gears, not Cornwall. If you can run it (5-6mph or faster) then you can ride it, if you have the gearing to do so. Are you using a triple up front?

Oh what to do? Is a triple the answer or can accents get easier the more I do them?

Monty Dog

It's a simple energy equations - if you're expending the same effort, then the runner will get up the hill faster than the rider+bike due to the increased mass. In terms of getting up many hills in Cornwall, indeed sometimes having low enough gears helps, plus you'll get stronger if you ride them regularly.

marz

ben@31 wrote:

marz wrote:

No that's gears, not Cornwall. If you can run it (5-6mph or faster) then you can ride it, if you have the gearing to do so. Are you using a triple up front?

Oh what to do? Is a triple the answer or can accents get easier the more I do them?

Yes and yes. A triple will allow to keep going on some hills and yes it will get easier. Another tip is to change into hill climbing gear before you hit the hill and not wait to down shift as you climb.

FlacVest

Monty Dog wrote:

It's a simple energy equations - if you're expending the same effort, then the runner will get up the hill faster than the rider+bike due to the increased mass. In terms of getting up many hills in Cornwall, indeed sometimes having low enough gears helps, plus you'll get stronger if you ride them regularly.

Rotational vs Translational energy changes.

A sliding block will beat a rolling ball.

That's why people work on shedding rotational mass (wheels) moreso than the bike itself. Regardless, that saying is dependent on what you're using; if it's just your body, you're only moving that, and you have friction and gravity actually helping you out (you lean forward to keep your CG where it needs to be.

On a bike, you're restricted to the bike's slant; leaning forward helps, but you'll roll backwards instead of stopping as on foot, so there's that too.

Regardless, I'm happy I'm in Tallahassee where there are "some" hills to climb; getting out of the saddle and powering up a hill is the funnest part of the ride. By far.

Mikey23

@marz... Thanks. Yes, it's what I meant when I said learning a new discipline. I'm much better at working out power, cadence and proper use of gears now, but I took me a while and caused me quite a lot of heartache on the way.I think it's because I knew I could cruise up hills on foot and assumed it was going to be the same if not easier on the bike. In my age group on strava I'm KOM on most local routes so must be doing summat right!