Is it really a bad thing to go to the gym run 5 miles thne take a break have a water and then do some weight training, one guy told me it would put my muscles in a cadabilstic state (sp). But due to time constraints it would be alot easier to do both at the gym or go to the gym and do some weight training after a 20-30 miles ride? Thanks in advance!

I think you mean "catabolic"
It is possible that you can over train and force your body to start to consume muscle tissue as an energy source.
It really depends on you and your body..
Some can run 5 miles as a warmup and for some 5 miles can seem like a marathon.
No 2 bodies are going to react the same way.

I dont suggest you do do leg lifting on the same days as intense running or riding....

I would like to do some cardio running/riding and then do like some upper body weight training. What if i have a power bar or somethign inbetween the cardio and the weight training?

c'mon - the dude is making it sound like lifting after running is gonna tear the muscle from you body & turn you into a skinny little stick man. The guy's a knucklehead. Sure it won't be "optimal" for maximum muscle mass - but who cares? It sure as hell will give better results than no lifting at all. Plus I didn't hear you mentioning that you'll be competing in a bodybuilding meet anytime soon, so do what's good for your schedule, not what's good for staying anabolic. You wanna get keep your muscles out of a catabolic state? Eat a double double, fries & shake from In N' Out.

I get a kick out of people who insist on doing everything the "perfect" way - gotta train like Lance or Coan or Coleman or it's not worth doing at all. better to stay a fat out of shape slob than train "wrong". Jeez.

Your body tends to go into a catabolic state when your blood sugars get low. But they have to get pretty darn low for that to happen. Especially if your body is going to consume muscle mass for energy. To make that happen, you would have to be basically devoid of any other more efficient fuels, like glycogen and fats. Odds of you training yourself to this point? Not very good. If you actually got to that point from cardio, you almost certainly would't want to go and lift weights afterwards, if you were even able to lift at all. Only time your body will consume muscle for food is if you're in a fairly advanced state of starvation. Don't worry too much about losing muscle mass from exercising. It just ain't gonna happen unless you've got a serious eating or compulsive exercise problem.

However, catabolic state also refers to breaking down fats for energy. You can (relatively) easily make that happen, and you'll know it when it happens. You'll bonk out because fat metabolism produces energy at a much slower rate than that of sugar. Probably won't want to lift weights after that either. But it won't break down muscle. (Human physiology major in college, so I mostly know what i'm talking about)

Now, moderate intensity cardio won't make your body go catabolic but it will fatigue you (naturally) and simple fatigue will hamper your lifting performance. But you can certainly make strength gains after a run or a ride. Just not hardcore bodybuilder type gains. Its a trade-off. Is it worth it for you? Thats yours to decide.

Thanks alot guys thats kind what i figured i didnt think my body would go into a starvation survial mode from a days working out

Why not lift first and run second? Just wondering...