Originally Posted by
Dthomp22
Hey all, I’m a beginner at cycling but I already have a good aerobic base as an avid runner (think 7:45 conversation long run pace). Every time I hop on the bike my legs seem to give in long before I’m even in aerobic zone which makes it difficult to train my aerobics! I was hoping for some advice for training going forward. I’ve read to go lower resistance and higher cadence, but I really want to build up my leg muscles to where they are almost or on par with my lungs. All advice is appreciated!
My advice: keep riding! I was a runner for 50 years but my knees couldn't take it anymore. After a few years of hobbling around and trying to recover, I bought a bike 2 1/2 years ago. Like you, my legs just weren't in riding shape, but over time they caught up. It probably took a year. Now I'm riding 15-20 miles a day at about 16 mph and at the end of it, it feels more like after a run. No doubt about it though, a hour of running is much more fatiguing than an hour of cycling, even when I'm pushing it. Still, it's good exercise and my knees don't ache anymore. Just keep riding and your legs will get there.