Does cycling impair walking?
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Does cycling impair walking?
For the past 18 months I have commuted to work most (9/10) days via bicycle - 36 mi RT. I really enjoy it and ride in all four seasons.
This past week I have not been able to commute at all, due to some renovations at our office building that put our locker room out of service temporarily. The good news is it is only for a week! This is the first time in a long time that I have not ridden for a whole week.
I noticed today that walking seems less difficult for me. Not that it was ever "hard" but it seems like my legs are more limber/flexible and walking seems more natural and less labored. Its as if cycling somehow made my legs stiffer and my gait more rigid. Sorry for the vague description; it is hard for me to elaborate on.
My question: has anyone else noticed that cycling affects their walking or is this affliction uniquely mine?
This past week I have not been able to commute at all, due to some renovations at our office building that put our locker room out of service temporarily. The good news is it is only for a week! This is the first time in a long time that I have not ridden for a whole week.
I noticed today that walking seems less difficult for me. Not that it was ever "hard" but it seems like my legs are more limber/flexible and walking seems more natural and less labored. Its as if cycling somehow made my legs stiffer and my gait more rigid. Sorry for the vague description; it is hard for me to elaborate on.
My question: has anyone else noticed that cycling affects their walking or is this affliction uniquely mine?
Last edited by hankbrandenburg; 08-08-08 at 10:42 AM.
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Yes it happened to me too. I had started eating lunch inside and not going out for lunch. And this was like 2 weeks into cyclocommuting. One day I decided to walk with co-workers to lunch and I was like oh my goodness...I don't know how to walk. lol
Seriously. I would ride to work. Stay in office walk around office a bit. Get back on bike ride home and stay in the house. I did this for like 2 weeks pretty much. All my walking was limited to around the house or around the office.
The first time I had actually walk some blocks..I was like WHOAAA! I had to figure it out all over again pretty much. It was really weird considering I am a walker..well that was until I got my bike. I would sometimes randonmly pick a direction and start walking...listen to mp3 player and have a good time.
Seriously. I would ride to work. Stay in office walk around office a bit. Get back on bike ride home and stay in the house. I did this for like 2 weeks pretty much. All my walking was limited to around the house or around the office.
The first time I had actually walk some blocks..I was like WHOAAA! I had to figure it out all over again pretty much. It was really weird considering I am a walker..well that was until I got my bike. I would sometimes randonmly pick a direction and start walking...listen to mp3 player and have a good time.
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I think maybe your title is wrong.. to impair would imply that it's made your walking more difficult, while you say it's less difficult and more natural.
For myself, I push pretty hard when i'm on by bike, so when I get off walking can be a little more difficult up stairs and hills.. heh, heh... but on off-bike days i'm fine.
For myself, I push pretty hard when i'm on by bike, so when I get off walking can be a little more difficult up stairs and hills.. heh, heh... but on off-bike days i'm fine.
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either way, no biggie...your post is clear enough, just clarifying the title
#7
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He's saying that his walking was better at the end of a week off the bike. Implying that biking impairs walking and you need a week of no cycling to get your walking back to normal.
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What he means is that he walks easier now that he has stopped biking for a week. But when he bikes normally, walking is more difficult. Therefore cycling impairs his ability to walk...
#9
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I'm pretty new to cycling, so I could be way off base here, but it sounds to me like you may not be doing enough stretching.
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I don't notice much difference in my walking during periods of daily riding versus occasional riding since NYC is a walking city and I walk a lot regardless (I don't own a car). However, after a century ride or a multi-day tour such as a camping trip I get the sensation of constant forward motion when I get off the bike and for quite some time afterward. And I dream about riding, too, usually waking up just before crashing into something--not unlike catching yourself "falling". Stairs are hard after that much riding, though not ascending, but rather descending.
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What he means is that he walks easier now that he has stopped biking for a week. But when he bikes normally, walking is more difficult. Therefore cycling impairs his ability to walk...
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I haven't noticed it with walking. However, when I've been doing a lot of riding, it feels very awkward to run, especially the first few strides.
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I haven't really noticed anything like that, and I don't stretch at all before or after. The only stretching I do is when I go to TKD class, one or two times a week.
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I've never noticed cycling affecting my walking, but I am more limber, overall since I started riding.
I can tell you, from personal experience, that ping-pong will ruin your disk golf. It's not permanent but if you plan on tearing up the disk golf course, don't play table tennis for a few days.
I can tell you, from personal experience, that ping-pong will ruin your disk golf. It's not permanent but if you plan on tearing up the disk golf course, don't play table tennis for a few days.
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Cycle-commuting gave me the aerobic capacity to put some serious hurt into my legs when I played campus rec soccer last summer. I was hobbling for three days after my first game--boy did my wife think that was funny.
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I love walking too, but rarely get time to. I try to walk to church on Sundays, it's just over a mile so it's a nice short walk.
When I retire I'd like to cycle across the country, but I'd also kind of like to walk some of the long trails like the Appalachian.
When I retire I'd like to cycle across the country, but I'd also kind of like to walk some of the long trails like the Appalachian.
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Well, when I first got back in to cycling I was sore for a bit but after that it has never been an issue and I walk a lot at work. I do stretch though, maybe that helps...
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I noticed that a couple years ago; but now, I've been a car-free bike commuter for so long that my body has just absorbed the whole lifestyle. The stretching will likely help -- I do stretch, but not as regularly or in as regimented a fashion as I really should. Pushing 50, y'know.
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haven't noticed a difference. Before i started riding i was an avid runner, so i guess my running ability has been compromised (because i don't run any more) but as for walking.. no haven't noticed a difference.
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I noticed today that walking seems less difficult for me. Not that it was ever "hard" but it seems like my legs are more limber/flexible and walking seems more natural and less labored. Its as if cycling somehow made my legs stiffer and my gait more rigid. Sorry for the vague description; it is hard for me to elaborate on.
My question: has anyone else noticed that cycling affects their walking or is this affliction uniquely mine?
My question: has anyone else noticed that cycling affects their walking or is this affliction uniquely mine?
year 'round inside & out) to keep my leg circulation in decent shape.
Cycling is considered great medical therapy for all who can do it
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
#25
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I wonder if its really an issue of the muscles getting a bit tight... do you stretch out a bit after cycling?
or maybe just do some stretching while watching tv?...
or maybe just do some stretching while watching tv?...