DonDenver

I like slicing snakes in half much better than smashing them...cleaner method as the hawks like the double order of smaller parts.

Outside of that, I enjoy greater distance at higher speed otherwise I lose interest.

merlinextraligh

Agreed.

You can ride a bike with an effort that is more akin to walking than running. If you want an exertion level on the bike equivalent to running you have to push yourself.

On the other end, because cycling isn't weight bearing, you can push yourself longer cycling than running if you choose to.

neneboricua

The low impact nature of cycling helps people with their fitness much more than running. Per minute, running burns more calories than cycling. However, most people can't run for 2-3 hours, while it's relatively easy to ride for 2-3 hours. So in the long run, cycling burns more calories than running because your body is able to do it longer.

I used to "run" in that I ran for exercise and as a way to stay in shape for basketball (point guard). I wanted to drop some weight because I was heavy for a point guard. Running was just not working for me because I couldn't do it long enough. I tried riding and the weight just melted off. Now I'm much lighter and more nimble on the court, and have discovered I have a talent for climbing hills.

Then there's also the whole speed, distance, descending, scenery angle to it. I started riding for fitness, now I ride to be competitive and to appreciate more of the natural beauty of the area I live in.

neneboricua

lechat

I enjoy cycling and running (mainly trails these days). Physically they complement each other. I'm amazed at the people that say they hate running but still do it. If it pounds your body to bits you should either develop a smoother gait or retire your running shoes. If you're miserable anyway, might as well use a stationary machine.

M_FactorX19

this and also i enjoy riding more. i use to run when i was still in grade school but while i was in college had a sever car wreck and broke my femur and shattered my hip. the doctors pieced me back together with screws, pins, and plates. after that it is just to painful to run on a regular basis. the good thing is cycling rarely causes me any problems with my hip. even without the injury i would still choose to ride a bike over running. i enjoy cycyling, its not a chore, so i dont mind that it takes more time.

maverick31210

cycling is more enjoyable, i can get much further and see many more things on a ride than i would on a run. running gets boring after a while because you can only get so far. i also prefer cycling because its training for competition. i dont plan on entering any foot races. its the experience also, be it road or mountain. i cant bomb a downhill, rip a berm or huck off a jump running lol at least not to the same effect.

dissident

I'm not a huge fitness freak. I just got into road biking but have been running quite a while... usually do 4 miles for stress relief and aerobic benefit. Any more then that is just gravy.. all the cardio benefit and stress relief one needs is done in 4 miles. "normal" people think that's amazing, while seasoned runners think it's wimpy. To each their own. Biking is much more 'enjoyable' then running and I will continue to do both. Plus one can get a good workout biking. If you really want to punish yourself bike on a mountain bike with underinflated tires. It will take more effort to go the same speed with still a low impact workout.

mihlbach

fify

nixternal

Speaking of rabid geese, I got my ass kicked by one riding earlier. It had its baby with it and I saw that, so I went out in to the oncoming lane. That bastard still ran over and got my leg. It scared the crap out of me, and I swore I heard the little baby goose say, "Get um mom!"

kudude

OP, ride for a couple of months and then come back and tell us if it still feels like as much of a workout to ride an hour as run. Once a few of your muscles adapt, this will probably change.

Also, 20-30 mile rides, unless done at high intensity and in a structured manner are going to make it very difficult to be "mid-pack competitive", especially since most rr are >40-50 miles. A 14 hour training week is pretty good, but I don't know anyone who rides 7 days a week (week in and week out, especially with any intensity). Training for racing doesn't work like that. Very different from running.

ricebowl

For me an hour running feels like a better workout than an hour cycling. But running's a chore I don't particularly enjoy it. While cycling is fun, Running was something I did because at the time it was more convenient than cycling.

roadiejorge 

add rabid rats and squirrels to that for the NYC riding experience.

c0lnago

Not here...last 9 months according to my Garmin data.
Cycling - Time: 133:49:22 h:m:s
Running - Time: 142:31:52 h:m:s

spock

People like cycling more because it's simply magical. Put in the same amount of energy you use for running and get on the bike, you'll be going 20 MPH. No motor, just a few teeth, chain, and 2 one and a half square foot circles. We take our bikes for granted most of the time and when you really look at it, it's so genius and inventive. ....Of course I'm talking about lugged bikes.

Who doesn't like magic?

WantsAPuppy

Well cycling takes less work to do. Imagine if you were comparing walking to running. You could walk for hours before you got tired.

Also cycling is less of an impact sport. In fact it has no impact. Running can be REALLY hard on your knees and ankles.

and its more fun

JoelS

Cycling is fun. Running is work. Aside from that, you just can't coast when running.

Tapeworm21

Because running fast through a corner isn't fun.
Because running down a hill isn't fun.
Because jogging in place at a stop light looks ridiculous.
Because runners wear short-shorts.
Because it's a jolting impact every step.
Because chicks never turn their heads at runners. Cycling? Oh hell yeah.
Because you can't really talk about running equipment other than shoes, shorts, socks, and a shirt. Totally lame. MAYBE a Garmin Forerunner every now and again.
Because every triathlete is a runner. Every triathlete is not a cyclist.
Because Kenya is going to out run you anyways.
Because I can't run behind someone else and catch a breath.
Because anything a runner can climb, so can somebody casually walking their dog.
Because a photograph of my shoes in front of a white garage door is boring.

I know how you feel though. I don't get the whole "running" thing myself. I always think a person is happier on a bike than in a car or on their feet. That's the way my dad brought me up and that's the way it will be. The only upper-hand I have with the OP is that we've all ran before. But we choose a bike instead. Lots of runners have never ridden a really nice bike that feels like it wants to be ridden. Do whatever life brings to your table and enjoy it. It's not for me to understand.

pgjackson

18+ years in the Marines took it's toll on my knees in 2010. Tore a meniscus training for a PFT (which I completed with the bad knee and still ran a 21:30 3-miles, thank you). Anyway, I hate running and always have. It hurts my back, knees, Achilles tendons, and feet. I dreaded even slow group runs. I picked up cycling last October, two months before my knee surgery, and have been addicted ever since. I have logged more PT time in the last 6 months than I probably have in the last 5 years combined. Running is slow and painful. Cycling is fast and fun. I also like the travel part of cycling. Plus there is a "hobby" aspect of cycling as you gradually learn about bikes and upgrade you gear. In running, once you get a pair of shoes...that's pretty much it.

Carbon Unit

I took up cycling five years ago. I had been looking for some sort of cardio activity to supplement my weight training. More than half of my life has been spent in martial arts and weight lifting but neither of these are really cardio activities because there is always a break which lets your heart rate come back down.

So, I tried running and hated it. My back hurt, my knees hurt hell it just hurts. I just couldn't do it.

Next, I bought a rowing machine. It is a great exercise. It gives you a full body workout and does a good job on cardio, but it is boring as hell. 30 minutes is about as long as I can stare at a wall while doing a cardio workout. I sold the machine on Craigslist.

Next I tried cycling. Bamb, I was addicted. I loved it and couldn't wait to get back on the bike and ride. I looked forward to the weekends so I could group rides. I also became a fanatic about upgrading my bike. The strange thing is after five years I am still addicted. So all of the money I spent upgrading wasn't a waste since I am getting my money's worth out of my bike.

Cycling and weight training complement each other very well and I will be doing both of them as long as I am physically able.

Carbon Unit

How painful was the repair. I think I tore a meniscus in the inside of my right knee playing racquetball. This happened six months ago. The pain comes and goes. I can ride a bike without any pain and can lift weights without any pain but if I turn the wrong way walking down stairs, my knee will remind me I have a problem. I was hoping it would go away on its own but so far it hasn't.

pgjackson

The pain was a very sharp stabbing pain kind of under the kneecap. I used to play a lot of racquetball also...maybe that was part of the problem. It was actually tolerable if I was running in a straight line, but twisting or bending like squatting down was very, VERY painful. The surgery sucked...worse than I expected...but the docs said cycling really helped the recovery and were amazed at how fast I was back to normal. I was back on the bike two weeks after surgery. Took about three months before I could run. Still feels weird running, but I can pound it out on the bike no problem.

Runner 1

I must be weird then, because I find a 2 hour run easier than a 2 hour bike ride. By the end of the bike ride, my lower back is incredibly sore, my perineum is sore, and I'm kind of shaky . At the end of the run, I feel kind of exhilarated.

Of course, I currently have a really bad knee injury and can barely walk, but cycling fortunately doesn't hurt that part of my knees so it's what I'm doing instead for the foreseeable future.

EDIT: I will say one thing that I really enjoy in cycling more than running is the suffer/reward of going up and down hills. With running it doesn't really matter too much what the terrain is, but with cycling it's like a struggle followed by a roller coaster ride

Kind of Blued

Cycling is basically running but you get to sit down and go way faster.

Running is basically cycling on a fixie with no handlebars or saddle.

Which one sounds cooler?

tagaproject6

That's not weird. You just enjoy different things. How long have you been cycling?

hhnngg1

I run a lot. I think more cyclists should run, if possible - the weight bearing and noncoasting makes it an 'honest' workout.

I use the same running mentality on the bike, and it allows for good progress. And yes, cycling unfortunately takes longer due to coasting and downhills - I'd guesstimate a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio in miles.