better cyclist than runner - physiological differences?

cyclerrrrunner wrote:

FWIW, I always was a bit "thicker" than my running teammates - maybe the extra leg muscle helps push a hard gear?

Stronger legs aren't always helpful in running. They're always helpful in cycling.

As a runner having dynamic spring is essential to reaching the top. A cyclist needs to be locked in a like a motor.

Your physiology just works better at the latter.

Cyclists still need to use their natural spring at high power outputs. It happens so quickly, about 1/10th of a second on the downstroke, that almost all cyclists are unaware of it.

more power wrote:

Cyclists still need to use their natural spring at high power outputs. It happens so quickly, about 1/10th of a second on the downstroke, that almost all cyclists are unaware of it.

Whatever Jon O

Participation levels. It's easier to compete in one of the lowest participation sports in the country.

I picked up cycling after a serious injury for 4 months. Staying in shape for XC riding 15-18 hours a week. Within 3 months I dropped a state champ like its hot on a 40 mile training ride every time we got to a long hill.

I never raced so I'll never know. However in the rides I did with CAT1 guys they weren't anything impressive.

Newly Improved wrote:

Participation levels. It's easier to compete in one of the lowest participation sports in the country.

I picked up cycling after a serious injury for 4 months. Staying in shape for XC riding 15-18 hours a week. Within 3 months I dropped a state champ like its hot on a 40 mile training ride every time we got to a long hill.

I never raced so I'll never know. However in the rides I did with CAT1 guys they weren't anything impressive.

You must be a crappy state...

Leg strength and power are far more important in cycling than running.

To become a *really* good cyclist, however, you have to be much more than a time trialist. Time trialing is a very small part of competitive cycling. In road races and crits, you need to be able to initiate and respond to attacks, to set yourself up for a field sprint by moving through a pack and handling corners well.

I was the opposite getting crushed by bikers during 40k tt, who had marathon times 1 hr slower....except on long hills in 5-10% range, I crushed them back being thin runner. Even fatties can hammer on bike cuz not weight bearing...until they come to steep hills.

So you just got some powerful thighs that are not quite fast twitch enuf for fast mile/200m time. You might make a good triathlete, the Brownlee twins (oly gold in London) couldn't even break 15sec 100m during a superstars competition.Weird thing, I could barely breask 5min mile, but 28 sec 200 not too hard, musta been training wrong!

Honestly I don't think you're a better cyclist than runner. I'm a crappy cyclist and I can ride with Cat 1's in workouts. If you have an idea of your power numbers we could probably get a better idea of your talent. I always thought cycling was more of a fast twitch / VO2 max heavy sport, since it's all about the accelerations in almost every race outside of the grand tours.

Have you tried mountain or trail running yet? I am in a similar situation- I suck at track but rock the ascents. I am a tall and inefficient runner but still have good cardio. I dabbled successfully in rowing (lightweight) and cycling but dropped them when I moved for work and started a family. I still crosstrain on my bike trainer though :)

Just did a 40min FTP test this morning and clocked in at 4.98 watts/kg. I agree that cycling is much more than just fitness - tactics and knowing when to time your max efforts is probably more important than raw fitness. For now it seems I may be a good time-trialist and hillclimber but I have a lot to learn before that translates into a podium finish.

You did 5 for the whole 40 minutes?

averaged 326 watts for 40 mins - current weight is 65.4 kg --> 4.98 W/kg

measured on a wahoo kickr

tips wrote:

cyclerrrrunner wrote:

FWIW, I always was a bit "thicker" than my running teammates - maybe the extra leg muscle helps push a hard gear?

Stronger legs aren't always helpful in running. They're always helpful in cycling.

Big legs = good riders, not so good runners. There is definitely a correlation.