What sports do cycling best overlap with?
06-29-12, 04:15 PM
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What sports do cycling best overlap with?
Curious if you all think there's any sport that overlaps with cycling more than running or vice versa
I've found there's a pretty big run to bike overlap to about 20-21mph for an hour of riding pace. After that, you really need bike-specific time to go much faster.
Similarly, really good cyclists (like Cat1-2) tend to make good runners after minimal training. However, I can't say the same for most Cat4-5s I've seen, most of whom end up being very average runners.
I can't think of any other sports that cycling would overlap with otehrwise.
I've found there's a pretty big run to bike overlap to about 20-21mph for an hour of riding pace. After that, you really need bike-specific time to go much faster.
Similarly, really good cyclists (like Cat1-2) tend to make good runners after minimal training. However, I can't say the same for most Cat4-5s I've seen, most of whom end up being very average runners.
I can't think of any other sports that cycling would overlap with otehrwise.
06-29-12, 04:17 PM
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The hammer throw???
06-29-12, 04:22 PM
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Speed skating.
06-29-12, 04:28 PM
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Swimming and running?
06-29-12, 04:28 PM
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with the proper training, and the long and lanky physique of the traditional road cyclist, i would imagine cyclists would also be good at swimming, cross country ski racing, rowing (they use clipless pedals!!), running as mentioned, rock climbing, beach volley ball...ive been skateboarding for 25 years too and see lots of benefit from riding road bikes.
Last edited by pdxtex; 06-29-12 at 04:36 PM.
06-29-12, 04:32 PM
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06-29-12, 04:33 PM
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with the proper training, and the long and lanky physique of the traditional road cyclist, i would imagine cyclists would also be good at swimming, cross country ski racing, rowing (they use clipless pedals!!), running as mentioned, rock climbing..maybe beach volleyball too...
06-29-12, 05:03 PM
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Swimming definitely does NOT x-over. I say this with complete certainty having done both (and being by far a better cyclist than swimmer even with often more training on the swim.) Swimming actually doesn't cross-over with anything other than other water sports, I've found, and even that is dodgy. I thought I'd be a pretty capable lifeguard-like person if I chose to be given that now I swim faster than the vast majority of recreational swimmers (which isn't saying much at all), but in fact I'm just as bad at rescue as I was before, since swimming faster involves a lot of technique to minimize drag, all of which is lost the moment you have additional baggage. Although granted, I could probably have a LOT better chance of surviving a shipwreck less than 5 miles from shore.
06-29-12, 05:05 PM
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yeah i dont think swimming and rock climbing would be good at all. Both require upper body strength (especially in the shoulder and arms for swimming).
06-29-12, 05:10 PM
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Cross country sking.
We equate 4 hours of fresh CC snow skiing to riding a hundred miles.
We equate 4 hours of fresh CC snow skiing to riding a hundred miles.
06-29-12, 05:14 PM
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if you can pull yourself up a wall and sit on top of it, you can rock climb. its more about balance then sheer brute strength. yeah you need to be strong, but you also need good grip, balance, and a proportionate frame. pro rock climbers aren't from beefcake island, they are actually pretty thin.
06-29-12, 05:25 PM
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if you can pull yourself up a wall and sit on top of it, you can rock climb. its more about balance then sheer brute strength. yeah you need to be strong, but you also need good grip, balance, and a proportionate frame. pro rock climbers aren't from beefcake island, they are actually pretty thin.
you missed my point. I said it required upper body strength which cyclist do not have. I didnt say it cant be done but it wouldnt be the ideal sport for a cyclist to do.
06-29-12, 05:27 PM
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Surfing. More to it than paddling...I've found that when I'm consistently riding, my surfing improves. Better control of the board, better balance, more powerful turns.
06-29-12, 05:40 PM
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06-29-12, 05:53 PM
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Speed skating is obvious. Several people have been national champions in both skating and road cycling.
Triathlon and mountain biking are also possibilities. Many world class mountain bikers have become world class road cyclists. Lance Armstrong started out as a triathlete and is now returning to that sport.
Triathlon and mountain biking are also possibilities. Many world class mountain bikers have become world class road cyclists. Lance Armstrong started out as a triathlete and is now returning to that sport.
06-29-12, 06:00 PM
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better hit the gym waldo!! (so totally kidding) however, i know tons of cyclists that climb, ski and snowboard...i think the more astute observation is that skinny people can pretty much try any sport they want. its just how coordinated you are which will dictate success.
Last edited by pdxtex; 06-29-12 at 06:19 PM.
06-29-12, 06:33 PM
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This.
And speed-hiking (aka challenge hiking).
I was very fit for that sport. Took up cycling - my first ride was 5 miles, and I nearly f***ing died. But within 3 months I was doing a century at 19.2 mpg.
It took hard work and more than 100 miles of cycling / week, but the fitness from speed hiking definitely converted very quickly.
And speed-hiking (aka challenge hiking).
I was very fit for that sport. Took up cycling - my first ride was 5 miles, and I nearly f***ing died. But within 3 months I was doing a century at 19.2 mpg.
It took hard work and more than 100 miles of cycling / week, but the fitness from speed hiking definitely converted very quickly.
06-29-12, 06:33 PM
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Cyclocross, mountain biking, track cycling, maybe BMX. All of those are quite similar to the sport of road cycling I believe.
06-29-12, 06:35 PM
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06-29-12, 06:42 PM
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kayaking works your upper body under medium to light load for extended periods. almost like cycling with your arms.
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06-29-12, 06:48 PM
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better hit the gym waldo!! (so totally kidding) however, i know tons of cyclists that climb, ski and snowboard...i think the more astute observation is that skinny people can pretty much try any sport they want. its just how coordinated you are which will dictate success.
agghhh you guys are frustrating. again I never said it cant be done. I just said they wouldnt excell at something like swimming. Look at the shoulders on great swimmers like Phelps. Yes I can swim, snowboard, play basketball, baseball, soccer or whatever. However I only excell at soccer and thats due to my fitness level. However I have noticed since I've been riding my shots are harder and thats probably due to riding
As for the gym i hit it 3 days a week, im 5'5 130lbs with 8% body fat. I think im good!
06-29-12, 06:58 PM
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Cycling and running share a mental aspect as far as endurance goes. Same kind of feeling for the pain quotient. Been there, done both.
06-29-12, 07:01 PM
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You all will laugh at me. It's fine, go ahead.
Having been a taller, lankier gymnast and ballerina for 16 years, I think that helped a lot. Why?
Balance. Upper body strength. CORE STRENGTH. I think gymnasts have as much or more core strength than any other athletes. I was started in core conditioning when I was 7. Something I'll group together as "body awareness"... the ability to know what muscles you're engaging at any one time, and what your posture is. And of course the ability to tolerate a great deal of pain...and keep going.
Having been a taller, lankier gymnast and ballerina for 16 years, I think that helped a lot. Why?
Balance. Upper body strength. CORE STRENGTH. I think gymnasts have as much or more core strength than any other athletes. I was started in core conditioning when I was 7. Something I'll group together as "body awareness"... the ability to know what muscles you're engaging at any one time, and what your posture is. And of course the ability to tolerate a great deal of pain...and keep going.