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-   -   Cycling, Running, or Stationary Bike? (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/585701-cycling-running-stationary-bike.html)

Palomar01 09-16-09 09:12 PM

Cycling, Running, or Stationary Bike?
 
I just got back to road biking about 3 months ago. Sorry to say, I'm still a Clyde but I do occupy the middle ground as far as speed. Not slow, but not fast either. I only ride for fitness and fun and my current workout is 5 times a week of cycling. In the past 2 months I have done on average about 250-275 miles/month. Unfortunately, my pesky desk job is beginning to get in the way of cycling time during the week. With the change of season arriving in sunny, Southern California, the sun no longer stays out too long after 5PM. So by the time I get home and ready to ride, it's getting dark.

So, I have been weighing my fitness routine options. I was considering running after work, riding the stationary Recumbent bike we have at home, or cycle in the dark. I'm also considering buying a turbo trainer, although this last option is expensive and I would rather not spend that kind of money. Cycling in the dark freaks me out so I'm dreading the time when the bright light of the sun disappears for winter.

My questions ares, is running a good supplement to cycling?
Will a stationary Recumbent fitness bicycle weaken me as a road cyclist?
Is it wise to ride for fitness in the dark?

Machka 09-16-09 09:29 PM

There is no problem with riding in the dark as long as you've got good lights and are decked out in reflective gear.

If it bothers you, you might consider getting a trainer for your bicycle.

Nachoman 09-16-09 09:30 PM

I think cycling at night is fantastic. I sometimes commute home from work at night. But I go slow. Cycling "for fitness" as you say, in my opinion would be dangerous at night unless you have an excellent light system and you re not traveling at super fast speeds.

ericm979 09-16-09 09:37 PM

Ride in the morning before work.

Varns269 09-16-09 09:40 PM

I'll play doctor here. Yes running is a great compliment to cycling. Why you might ask..well i will tell you. Running is what you call a "load bearing" exercise. It is important (especially if you are young) to put stress (mild) on your bones for them to remain strong. When you run you actually "break" down you bones and with time, rest, nutrition they are built back up stronger. Cyclists who bike tons all the time have been shown to have low bone densitys. Not to mention running is a great endurance exercise. Running can also be used to lose some pounds in the offseason.

mattm 09-16-09 09:44 PM


Originally Posted by Varns269 (Post 9689679)
I'll play doctor here. Yes running is a great compliment to cycling. Why you might ask..well i will tell you. Running is what you call a "load bearing" exercise. It is important (especially if you are young) to put stress (mild) on your bones for them to remain strong. When you run you actually "break" down you bones and with time, rest, nutrition they are built back up stronger. Cyclists who bike tons all the time have been shown to have low bone densitys. Not to mention running is a great endurance exercise. Running can also be used to lose some pounds in the offseason.

But don't a lot of ex-runners turn to cycling b/c of bad knees?

OP, I say go for a ride outside; just get an LED or three & go!

K&K_Dad 09-16-09 10:15 PM


Originally Posted by mattm (Post 9689701)
But don't a lot of ex-runners turn to cycling b/c of bad knees?

OP, I say go for a ride outside; just get an LED or three & go!

Still a runner... never had a 'knee' problem till I jumped on the bike. Although I think it was just a fit issue.

OP - Running is awesome and will compliment cycling well. Also depending on the weather, look into getting a trainer like someone mentioned. You could probably get one on CL for next to nothing..

Carbon Unit 09-16-09 10:20 PM


Originally Posted by Palomar01 (Post 9689511)
I just got back to road biking about 3 months ago. Sorry to say, I'm still a Clyde but I do occupy the middle ground as far as speed. Not slow, but not fast either. I only ride for fitness and fun and my current workout is 5 times a week of cycling. In the past 2 months I have done on average about 250-275 miles/month. Unfortunately, my pesky desk job is beginning to get in the way of cycling time during the week. With the change of season arriving in sunny, Southern California, the sun no longer stays out too long after 5PM. So by the time I get home and ready to ride, it's getting dark.

So, I have been weighing my fitness routine options. I was considering running after work, riding the stationary Recumbent bike we have at home, or cycle in the dark. I'm also considering buying a turbo trainer, although this last option is expensive and I would rather not spend that kind of money. Cycling in the dark freaks me out so I'm dreading the time when the bright light of the sun disappears for winter.

My questions ares, is running a good supplement to cycling?
Will a stationary Recumbent fitness bicycle weaken me as a road cyclist?
Is it wise to ride for fitness in the dark?

I have been riding for years in Orange County after dark. I have good lights and ride the loop that starts at Culver and Portolo in Irvine. It is a 2.5 mile loop with 1.25 miles of climb, .5 mile of drop and .75 miles of flat. It is very safe since the majority of the loop doesn't have any cars on it. The flat section on Portolo, which has a very wide bike lane, has cars on the left side. There is only one stop light and every turn is a right turn.

However, I have also started using the trainer just so I can get in a ride when my work schedule doesn't allow me to take the bike out on the road.

As for running, I will only run if someone is chasing me.

Varns269 09-16-09 10:24 PM

Actually the myth about running causing bad knees is very overblown. There really is no conclusive evidence to point to the fact running causes bad knees. Heres a few links to studies that show running does not lead to knee pain over anything else ...if you really want to read them.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=2556152

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18483739

K&K_Dad 09-16-09 10:25 PM

Carbon, y u gotta dis runnin man?

khatfull 09-16-09 10:29 PM


Originally Posted by K&K_Dad (Post 9689906)
Carbon, y u gotta dis runnin man?

Are you a full time Dad at 12 years old?!

K&K_Dad 09-16-09 10:35 PM

lol... nah. .just the meds talking...

Carbon Unit 09-16-09 10:37 PM


Originally Posted by K&K_Dad (Post 9689906)
Carbon, y u gotta dis runnin man?

Because it hurts and I suck at it.

khatfull 09-16-09 10:42 PM


Originally Posted by K&K_Dad (Post 9689949)
lol... nah. .just the meds talking...

Double LOL (as I sit here all drugged up on Sudafed, bad cold, can't sleep)

K&K_Dad 09-16-09 10:43 PM


Originally Posted by khatfull (Post 9689991)
Double LOL (as I sit here all drugged up on Sudafed, bad cold, can't sleep)

need one of my ambien? It's gonna kick in in about 10 minutes and I'll be snoozing like a baby.:thumb:

Turnin2 09-17-09 06:23 AM

Running is excellent exercise. You can get in a good workout in a short time. However, I think the potential for injury is greater in running than in cycling. It is important to take it very slow in the beginning. There are many couch to 5K programs on the internet, but I would go even slower than they suggest. In the first few months muscles develop faster than tendons and ligaments, so you have strong muscles using weaker anchor points and it can cause an injury that will take a very long time to heal correctly. Adequate rest and more frequent runs are more important in the beginning than increasing distance.

That said, running can be used when you need time off the bike but still want to train. It is relaxing and peaceful.

AngryScientist 09-17-09 06:36 AM

trainers are not that expensive...

riding at night is fantastic if you can find areas of low traffic

running is an excellent compliment to cycling, but be advised - dont jump into it too quickly, ease into it or you're looking at an overuse injury which will prevent most exercise...

mkirby 09-17-09 06:50 AM

I have a spin bike at my house which gives me a similar workout to a trainer would. It sounds like you are more concerned about getting exercise and improving fitness in the evenings as apposed to needing to get out an enjoy being on your bike outside. I would say get a trainer for indoor training . I usually get a much more focused and intense workout on my spin bike doing intervals than I can in an hour on the road when I am stopping/starting for stop lights and other people etc.

Tsuru 09-17-09 07:24 AM

Yeah, ride at night! It's really fun.

aham23 09-17-09 07:32 AM

when the midwestern days grow shorter i turn to running to maintain my fitness. it seems this time every year work and family life also ramp up leaving less and less time to ride. i am pretty much down to riding two days a week, weekends only, by mid september.

plus, i like to run some short races, 5k and 10k, in the fall anyway so start to run 2 to 3 times a week. picking up mileage and pace as i go along. when december hits i start in with the trainer.

ymmv. later.

NickDavid 09-17-09 08:07 AM


Originally Posted by Palomar01 (Post 9689511)
My questions ares, is running a good supplement to cycling?
Will a stationary Recumbent fitness bicycle weaken me as a road cyclist?
Is it wise to ride for fitness in the dark?


Running is not a substitute for cycling. They are completely separate. However, if fitness is a concern, then running will certainly keep you in shape. Get yourself an indoor trainer and learn to love it throughout the winter.

Riding in the dark is fine, but invest in a solid lighting system.

Tsuru 09-17-09 08:16 AM

Ride in the winter.... that's when it gets really challenging! Give it a go!

gregf83 09-17-09 09:06 AM


Originally Posted by Varns269 (Post 9689894)
Actually the myth about running causing bad knees is very overblown. There really is no conclusive evidence to point to the fact running causes bad knees. Heres a few links to studies that show running does not lead to knee pain over anything else ...if you really want to read them.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=2556152

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18483739

And just how many of those 45 long distance runners (who had been running for a minimum of 10 yrs) were clydesdales?

If you want to run I'd wait until you lose some weight otherwise you'll be needlessly punishing your knees. Stick with the bike and lights or an indoor trainer.

skol 09-17-09 09:22 AM

I vote for all of the above for options. Try some hiking, unpaved trail running if available to you. I don't care for the recumbent trainers myself but would recommend some of the spinerval etc videos that are out for some motivation while indoor training. Looks like your in So Cal though so riding at night is a great option - not always so pleasant here in the Midwest winters. Get a mnt bike and ride trails at night with some good lighting its a blast.

Varns269 09-17-09 09:28 AM


Originally Posted by gregf83 (Post 9691619)
And just how many of those 45 long distance runners (who had been running for a minimum of 10 yrs) were clydesdales?

If you want to run I'd wait until you lose some weight otherwise you'll be needlessly punishing your knees. Stick with the bike and lights or an indoor trainer.

You're just at likely to get injured biking if your a clydesdale.


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