Fifty Plus (50+) - I don't understand

Several times, mayabe more than several, I have noticed that I can ride hard (what I consider hard) for a time...let's say even as long as 20-30 mins and i am tired but not falling over tired... then on a normal day I take a flight of stairs and I am winded. Does this mean that I am exerting more energy on the stairs than I do on the bike or what??? Or is it a different kind of tired??
just wondering if any other of you 50+ have noticed this indescrepancy // unevenness// difference...
peace

Just curious, Floyd. How do you feel when climbing a steep hill, vs what you consider riding hard on relatively flat terrain?

Yes, you may have something there...climbing a hill is like stairs, ya need more stamina, and it does 'wind' me a little more. Good comparison. To be honest when I ride more I do feel in better shape, for the shape i'm in. I was just being curios to get a thread going.
peace

I've seen that phenomena too. On the stairs I have not warmed up and my pulse jumps immediately. On the bike I get an easy warm-up coasting down from the hill I live on. Then I will need a mile or two on a 10% grade to feel the same pounding pulse.

I've seen that phenomena too. On the stairs I have not warmed up and my pulse jumps immediately. On the bike I get an easy warm-up coasting down from the hill I live on. Then I will need a mile or two on a 10% grade to feel the same pounding pulse.
*cough,cough*

Congratulations, ken. You're in much better condition than I. It only takes me a 10% grade for 1/4-mile to feel that pounding pulse. :o Then, again, you get to ride some real hills every day. Lucky guy. :)

Several times, mayabe more than several, I have noticed that I can ride hard (what I consider hard) for a time...let's say even as long as 20-30 mins and i am tired but not falling over tired... then on a normal day I take a flight of stairs and I am winded. Does this mean that I am exerting more energy on the stairs than I do on the bike or what??? Or is it a different kind of tired??
just wondering if any other of you 50+ have noticed this indescrepancy // unevenness// difference...
peace


I'm inclined to think this is due to using different muscles. I can ride for 40+ miles and feel great but after 15 minutes on the treadmill at 4 mph I'm gasping for breath:eek:

I work on the 4th floor and try to use the stairs instead of the elevator. If I've slacked off the stairs for a few weeks that first trip up them leaves me huffing and puffing.

Whew, I thought it was just me. Actually I climb alot of hills and the stairs still hurts my legs somedays.