Runners turned cyclists, does this debunk the myth?

I think runners can make good cyclists. The aerobic strength is there already and the pain threshold. These guys are already genetic endurance freaks and that transfers over no matter what muscles they are using.

I used to be a competitive cyclist, and many of the fastest guys I knew were ex-runners. However, they weren't necessarily good climbers... a lot of short distance guys were great at crits and punchy road races (break-away guys). Actually, a few of the best cyclists I knew were ex-rowers :-/

Netwerk Errer wrote:

I think runners can make good cyclists. The aerobic strength is there already and the pain threshold. These guys are already genetic endurance freaks and that transfers over no matter what muscles they are using.

I think you are absoluetly correct. When I started biking, my quads were underdeveloped; however, after 2 years, I was as good as some guys who have been biking their whole life. Runners are very good at pushing through pain. No matter how long or hard I bike, I can't replicate the feeling of the last 200 meters of an 800m race.

A pretty good runner can become a world class cyclist. The very best cyclists can never become pretty good runners.

running is harder than biking wrote:

A pretty good runner can become a world class cyclist. The very best cyclists can never become pretty good runners.

Define "pretty good". Let's say a marathon time.

Also, keep in mind that a world class cyclist is likely going to spend his prime years racing a bike (and probably making a better salary) rather than running.

Your first sentence is stupid because runners DO make great CLIMBERS. I'm a runner turned climber as is my girlfriend. We're both WAYYYY ahead of the usual improvement curve. We are at the point in less than 1 year than the vast majority hit in 4-5 years, sometimes never. Of course, that could be because here on letsrun we are some of the most talented people on the planet who could dominate any sport if we want.

luv2run wrote:

running is harder than biking wrote:

A pretty good runner can become a world class cyclist. The very best cyclists can never become pretty good runners.

Define "pretty good". Let's say a marathon time.

Also, keep in mind that a world class cyclist is likely going to spend his prime years racing a bike (and probably making a better salary) rather than running.

Using the example of the 3:57 miler who became a world class cyclist. No top cyclist could ever run a 3:57 mile no matter if he spent every moment of his prime on running. Running a 3:57 mile is the equivalent of winning the TDF by 20 hours in terms of athletic excellence. Many examples of sub-elite runners becoming elite bikers, but no examples of any biker becoming a local class runner.

running is harder than biking wrote:

luv2run wrote:

Define "pretty good". Let's say a marathon time.

Also, keep in mind that a world class cyclist is likely going to spend his prime years racing a bike (and probably making a better salary) rather than running.

Using the example of the 3:57 miler who became a world class cyclist. No top cyclist could ever run a 3:57 mile no matter if he spent every moment of his prime on running. Running a 3:57 mile is the equivalent of winning the TDF by 20 hours in terms of athletic excellence. Many examples of sub-elite runners becoming elite bikers, but no examples of any biker becoming a local class runner.

0/10

running is harder than biking wrote:

Running a 3:57 mile is the equivalent of winning the TDF by 20 hours in terms of athletic excellence.

That is the dumbest thing I've ever read. Even if you changed it to 20 minutes.

Runners DO make great climbers wrote:

We are at the point in less than 1 year than the vast majority hit in 4-5 years, sometimes never. Of course, that could be because here on letsrun we are some of the most talented people on the planet who could dominate any sport if we want.

That and the fact you're probably much fitter than most people who start climbing. Find someone else who has comparable background fitness from another sport and you probably won't feel so badass.

I respond to you wrote:

running is harder than biking wrote:

Running a 3:57 mile is the equivalent of winning the TDF by 20 hours in terms of athletic excellence.

That is the dumbest thing I've ever read. Even if you changed it to 20 minutes.

It is a million times more likely that a 3:57 miler could win the TDF than a TDF winner could run a 3:57 mile. It isn't even likely that a TDF winner could beat the high school girls Mary Cain or Alexa Efraimson.

Maybe, maybe an elite cyclist could train to a 2:30 marathon. The fact is that a national class runner can, and has many times, become a world class cyclist. Never the other way around. Sorry if bikies get all butt hurt over this, but that has been proved over and over again.

I think the difference is that most cyclists picked it up during their teens. So they've spent a long time developing muscles specific to cycling. Muscles that aren't used for running. Whereas runners, you're developing muscles similar to that of everyday use- so when you hop on the bike, you can quickly develop your shortcomings. When you go from cycling to running you're dealing with a muscle mass that isn't really necessary.

Of course both are going to be aerobic freaks, but it's also much more common for a runner to go to cycling than vice versa. Mainly because cycling isn't an interscholastic sport. Using one of the aforementioned pros as an example, such as Woods. He obviously had the talent to break 4 in the mile. But he also has the talent to make a world championships team for cycling. He probably had to work really hard to make that team. He needed to relearn his mindset as a runner. Along with the tactics. But thankfully he was equipped with the talent to be good on the bike. Not something every runner would be fortunate to have.

I think runners think they would automatically be good on the bike. That is far from the truth. Sure, it's easier for a runner to become a better cyclist. But that's just because of the muscle adaptations involved. Not because running is harder than cycling or vice versa.

Stetson wrote:

It is a million times more likely that a 3:57 miler could win the TDF than a TDF winner could run a 3:57 mile.

This is true but it's also true they'd be paid about 10 bucks for the mile, if anything.

I respond to you wrote:

Runners DO make great climbers wrote:

We are at the point in less than 1 year than the vast majority hit in 4-5 years, sometimes never. Of course, that could be because here on letsrun we are some of the most talented people on the planet who could dominate any sport if we want.

That and the fact you're probably much fitter than most people who start climbing. Find someone else who has comparable background fitness from another sport and you probably won't feel so badass.

Not true. I've met countless soccer players turned climbers, cyclists turned climbers, football players, surfers, etc etc etc. Not one person has had the improvement rate we have. You gotta remember, if I'm on LetsRun then I'm a runner and I'm more fit than pretty much everyone so I will excel at every sport.

Pretty sure the OP meant a climbing specialist on the bike not rock climber. Brah. I mean, when I clicked the links they were pictures of cyclists. But you know, I could be wrong.

I think Ian Stewart was a cyclist turned runner, pretty good runner too.

Also, wasn't Jack Foster a former cyclist before he took up running?

Here is something to think about;

Runners, go for a 90 minute bike ride.

Cyclists, go for a 90 minute run.

One of the two will be much much more sore than the other

Don Underhill wrote:

Here is something to think about;

Runners, go for a 90 minute bike ride.

Cyclists, go for a 90 minute run.

One of the two will be much much more sore than the other

Which is why cyclists do at least 90min every day.

I'm cycling right now since i can't run. It sucks. I'm in very mediocre shape after biking all summer. I could be running 15:00 5ks right now with the same time commitment.

I can't keep up with the old fat guys on the flats, but am beating the best strava times on local hill segments (short and steep usually).