Backpacking and Biking
09-17-02, 07:15 AM
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Backpacking and Biking
I got back Sunday evening from a three day backpack trip and had thought my legs were the strongest thing on my body.
From 7,200 ft to 12,500 ft in six miles and day hikes to 14,000 ft, my calves now hurt like they have never hurt before in my life! I can honestly barely walk.
I hope this will translate to a longer pull at the front of the pack!
Backpacking seems to be a great biking companion sport.
From 7,200 ft to 12,500 ft in six miles and day hikes to 14,000 ft, my calves now hurt like they have never hurt before in my life! I can honestly barely walk.
I hope this will translate to a longer pull at the front of the pack!
Backpacking seems to be a great biking companion sport.
09-18-02, 09:08 AM
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well, i do lots of "leg-sports": cycling, mountain climbing (running, technical climbing, alpine, rock, etc.), volleyball, ski touring (using skins to go UP and then ski down), etc. for the most part summer = mountain biking + mountain climbing and winter = ski touring + mountain climbing
i think each sport is different and uses totally different leg muscles... so it's really hard to assess how much climbing 2000m vertical with a 15kg backpack helps my cyling...
BUT, i do think that the all-round "cross-training" makes me stronger, more injury-resistant, and more flexible as well as preventing things like muscle imbalance (that can lead to knee problems for instance)
i personally have gotten into doing a COMBINATION of mountain biking and mountain climbing so i get to the top faster, have a fun ride down, and SAVE my knees. i often take the train, then ride the mountain bike for the approach and as high as i can until the trail gets too steep (around here usually about 1000m vertical) and then the last 500-1000m by foot.
I have NEVER had really sore muscles from cycling as i have from hiking/climbing (or ski touring) although cycling tends to make me the most easily exhausted (mostly lots of time exceeding Lactate Threshold)
i think each sport is different and uses totally different leg muscles... so it's really hard to assess how much climbing 2000m vertical with a 15kg backpack helps my cyling...
BUT, i do think that the all-round "cross-training" makes me stronger, more injury-resistant, and more flexible as well as preventing things like muscle imbalance (that can lead to knee problems for instance)
i personally have gotten into doing a COMBINATION of mountain biking and mountain climbing so i get to the top faster, have a fun ride down, and SAVE my knees. i often take the train, then ride the mountain bike for the approach and as high as i can until the trail gets too steep (around here usually about 1000m vertical) and then the last 500-1000m by foot.
I have NEVER had really sore muscles from cycling as i have from hiking/climbing (or ski touring) although cycling tends to make me the most easily exhausted (mostly lots of time exceeding Lactate Threshold)
09-18-02, 10:40 AM
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I find walking uses completely different muscles to cycling. Oddly I'm getting okay and short sprints on a bike, but I still can't run for toffee...
Richard
Richard
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Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
09-21-02, 09:40 PM
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Originally posted by Greg
I got back Sunday evening from a three day backpack trip and had thought my legs were the strongest thing on my body.
From 7,200 ft to 12,500 ft in six miles and day hikes to 14,000 ft, my calves now hurt like they have never hurt before in my life! I can honestly barely walk.
I hope this will translate to a longer pull at the front of the pack!
Backpacking seems to be a great biking companion sport.
I got back Sunday evening from a three day backpack trip and had thought my legs were the strongest thing on my body.
From 7,200 ft to 12,500 ft in six miles and day hikes to 14,000 ft, my calves now hurt like they have never hurt before in my life! I can honestly barely walk.
I hope this will translate to a longer pull at the front of the pack!
Backpacking seems to be a great biking companion sport.
Walking/hiking strengthens bones and works muscles in a way cycling does not. Cycling uses muscles and works the heart in a way walking cannot. Together, they are unbeatable.
They say Lance used to swim.
Last edited by Pete Clark; 09-21-02 at 09:42 PM.
