hyhuu

I recently transition from running to biking and could not have been any happier. I was never good at running to start with but kept at it mostly for fitness reason for my other activities. Anyway looking at the heart rate zones after my rides, I notice that it's a lot different than my running. When riding the amount of time I spent in the upper zones was much longer than I ever could from running. In other words, if I try to emulate the same thing in running, I prob drop dead. I thought this is kinda strange. Perhaps because I'm new to riding so my body is less efficient? Any runner/biker out there?

thehammerdog

welcome my brotha......I do both riding & running and find that my efforts are always harding when running...The body works much harder at running at a given pace than cycling. I can hit 170 bpm riding but I am flying but if I was running if I get anywhere near there I am sure it is very brief....then I die.
I use the garmin and can see effort vs. speed&distance it is a great tool.
That being said effort is effort so from a work out perspective your working hard. .

dolanp

My heart rate is generally higher during a run than a ride. If I really push myself on the bike then they are similar. Probably depends on how you ride though; it's easy to shift to a lower gear when you're tired and keep the same cadence so your heart rate will slow from that.

cruelster

I can't get my HR nearly as high on a ride compared to a run. Also, my max HR running is 202, while the most I've ever gotten it during a ride was 190.

Mose

I'm the opposite but much less difference. I've hit 198 on the bike, 193 running. I haven't run since the winter of '09/'10 though.

SBRDude

When you're running, you're supporting your whole body with your legs and that's more work and should give you a higher pulse for the same amount of exertion on a bike.

merlinextraligh

For most people, your heart rate will be higher running than it is riding for the same level of perceived effort.

Another way to look at this is that your lactate threshold heart rate, or heart at functional threshold, will be higher running than riding.

When I was training by heart rate, and added running to cross train over the winter, I had to do a running field test to establish my zones for running which were around 5pm higher running than riding.

gregf83 

When you transition from running to cycling it can take a while (years?) to build up your legs to the point where they can stress your cardiovascular system as much as running. It's also easier to take a break while cycling and ride with a low HR. Taking a break in running is called walking and most just want to finish the run so the minimum level of effort to run is higher than with cycling.

I think it also depends on your body type. A skinny efficient runner/cyclist will react differently than a more powerfully built athlete. To get a high intensity running workout without pounding your body mercilessly it helps to be light. On the bike it doesn't matter so much if you're heavier, you'll just go slower.

nyxis

I started running in January and my typical heart rate is around 160 on a training day and 175~ avg (195 max) on a race day.. I started cycling in April and my typical heart rate is much lower 150~ on training/group ride days.. and race days 165~ ... 180~ max..

macnolias

I thought only the incredible hulk watched his heart rate.

hyhuu

Thanks for the replies. Perhaps I was just a lazy/unmotivated runner who never really pushed as hard I could have. Being a newbie, I concentrated on working the cadence and tried not to wear myself out so I never paid attention to the HR. It wasn't until the last couple rides that I decided to strap on the HR monitor and was just surprised to see the results.

Mithrandir

Your body is probably adjusting to the new muscles being used.

When I first started biking I would easily spike up to 165 with no problem, and when I did a race I could get up to 175 sustained.

Now only 3 months later I stay mostly under 150 for what I consider the same amount of effort I put in a few months ago. I *REALLY* have to push hard to get up past 160 again.

Nick Bain

with both activities if you train or do it everyday your heart rate will drop substantially. early season stuff always makes my heart skyrocket.

Urbanmonk

I tried running-just to mix things up-and it killed my back; it laid me out for weeks. But, then, I do have disc issues which are very existent.