exRunner

In my experience that is even more true of most people in a century ride. Team In Training comes to mind.

As a single point example, it has been several years since I have broken 3:20 in the marathon (2006 Boston to be exact). 3 weeks ago I rode a century in 5:06 and change and I was not pushing that hard. I did that on less than 1000 miles on the bike since March, and just under 500 miles of running over the same time.

bikinggrrrl

I am not particularly fond of running but do it 1-2 times a week anyway. As a woman, and especially as a woman who abused her body and was severely underweight for several decades, I am concerned about my bone density as I age. High impact exercise, such as running, will help me to increase, or at least maintain, it.

I much prefer to cycle.

patentcad

I do every ride to see if I can finish.

TRaffic Jammer

hmm not relishing the thought of what I might have to do to increase bone density without running

parabrand

I find my spinning improves when I mix in a run or two per week.

Also, running helps strengthen my glutes and loosens up my ITB -- both things that strongly help when cycling.

Plus, let's face it: chicks dig runners more than cyclists.

coasting 

i thought runners have a problem with low bone density. maybe your running is counter productive.

JoshTheSkier

I run to train for Rugby.

I ride a bike because I like riding a bike.

Like somebody else said above, I play rugby, a running injury is the least of my worries.

stonecrd

Running is easy and you can get a good workout in less time than on the bike. If I have only 30min I run if I have an hour or longer I prefer to ride. As you found out running and cycling use different muscles so you can be riding 8hrs a week at a high level and go out run 3mi and hurt like hell. While you probably can maintain a descent pace due to have good fitness the stress on the different muscles will show up the next day. If you do both regularly you should not have pain with either.

The nice thing about cycling is that you can take a week+ off and get back to your fitness level without too much pain. However, I always found with running the amount of pain I needed to deal with to get back to a reasonable level after time off was almost like starting over. Main reason why I like cycling better.

scorpio516

Nope. Impact activities boost bone density. Swimming is even harder (more work) than running but gives you no bone density help.

In general, running is more work than cycling. Work as measured by calories burned. On average, a slow 10 minute mile pace will burn 860 calories per hour for an average 190lb person. Most people can run a 10 minute mile. To do the same work on a bike, you need to travel at ~15 mph. Not speedy, but I'd wager most people, in general, can't do it. 15 mph on a bike is a bigger obstacle for most people than a 10 minute mile.

saratoga

15mph on a bike aint going to burn 860 cal/hr unless you have a serious weight problem.

bikinggrrrl

huh? Where in the world did you get that idea???

Velo Vol 

For years jogging was my exclusive form of exercise. But, once I started riding my bike again, I found it to be a more enjoyable way to pass the time. Simply put, running is slower and more boring. So I ride.

Creakyknees

I don't mind doing a few hill repeats on a grassy slope now and then. I figure it's good for strengthening tendons and bone density and such.

But yeah, just getting out for a long steady jog? NFW.

BroadSTPhilly

They need to get to the bathroom RIGHT NOW.

coasting 

that pretty much sums up why i like riding my bike more than any other exercise. running is a better work out but i don't really ride for the work out. it is fun and the fact that it is exercise is a bonus. other than the physical benefit, what is it that runners enjoy about running?

MCODave

I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but lots of people want to RACE, and running races are a lot less intimidating then cycling races.

In my area, there are hundreds of people who show up for weekly rides, centuries, etc. but only a handful of them ever actually get a USCF license and do an actual race. But I would venture that a pretty good percentage (most??) runners do actual timed races on a regular basis. Plus, a runner can do a race and be happy with their results after a few weeks of training, but a new/casual cyclist would probably get dropped in the first lap of even a Cat 5 race.

parabrand

Experience.

Something about spandex deters ladies. I'm not even talking about pot-bellied guys here: slim-toned dudes. Maybe it is exercise induced shrinkage...

And wait... You are biased being a chick. I have an inkling that biker-chicks dig the spandex whereas other chicks do not.

Anyone else share these sentiments?

Neurodoc

Rollerblade. It's weight-bearing but low impact. It requires some skill and can be a little scary at times, so the fun element is there. Excellent aerobic workout as well.

TRaffic Jammer

Blading.... hmmm being an old skateboarder... when i did it for a summer I was looking for stuff to jump, stairs to roll, things to grind. I did dislocate my kneecap about 8 years ago though skateboarding so now I have holes in the joint bones on my right knee. Laterally my knees are a wreck, I'm not sure if I want to risk it blading, heck I can barely dance now without feeling like the knee is going to fall apart. Knee allograft transplant was recommended by young surgeon but older, wiser one said 'if you walked into my office I will not do it'. So I wait until I am hobbled before allowing the docs to fillet me like a fish. Weight training perhaps, as boring as it sounds?

ericcox

I used to hate running, but picked it up again last fall to prepare for a triathlon, and discovered I was decent at short distances (5k). I've been running more, and really enjoy it, but not as much as cycling. One benefit: I can run while my five year old rides his bike (he doesn't enjoy the bike trailer any more) and a get a pretty good 4-6 mile run in as long as I'm not too strict with pacing and am willing to throw in some side hikes / fossil hunting / rock chunking. Throw in a jogging stroller for the younger kid, and it's a nice workout.

One key for me was to get better at pacing myself -- I used to go out way too hard.

Again, however, I do prefer the bike, but do now at least understand running's appeal.

bikinggrrrl

This chick digs men who take care of themselves: physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. I don't much care what they wear as they do it. I suspect that I am not alone in this.

But yes, I suppose because I wear lycra, I'm not repulsed when I see others wearing it as well.

TRaffic Jammer

Having been a spandex clad messenger I can say many a reception area perked up when the sweaty fit guys in tights entered. Might have had something to do with them being bossed around by dorks in suits all day and we were a nice distraction. It was the 80's though... everyone wore spandex.

RUOkie

I've never been called "a looker", but since I took up riding again, I've gotten more complements from the ladies than I have in the previous 41 years! My face didn't get any better looking, so it must be the spandex!

mamu

I run for the beer they hand out at the end of road races.

DrPete 

+1,000,000. 860 Kcal/hr is a pretty stinkin' hard workout, as measured by my powertap when I was using one...