Benefits of cycling over running?

Many good comments here about expense, time, etc. While the lower risk of chronic injury is appealing, please do not underestimate the risk of traumatic injury - I have friends who've broken their necks, broken their collarbones, gotten concussions, and know of many people who have been killed riding on the roads. An appeal of mountain biking is to avoid cars, but have you seen how messed up people are from face plants on rocks, etc..? So, the safe way to go is riding indoors on a smart trainer, although that removes the pleasure of seeing great scenery being outdoors.

People have mentioned that it takes more hours a week to be in good shape as a cyclist. The flip side is that, without the pounding from running, you *can* ride for many more hours a week than you would run. But, even beyond the time it costs, there are other downsides to all of this hard bike riding: 1) seems to be associated with greater risk of atrial fibrillation; 2) reportedly does *not* help with bone density as running does ... these are long-term considerations as you age. If you just want to maintain some level of fitness and can't run, indoor riding does seem like one of the good alternatives.

Actually was thinking about getting a rowing machine but worried it would just be a harder, more boring of the treadmill/stationary bike. Based on responses here, I'll probably just start throwing stuff like this on top of my running and see what sticks. For now I am lucky enough that even if I get injured running I can build back. It's very encouraging to hear the range of options people do to replace/supplement their running, as for me it's mostly been either full on running or stationary bike a few times a week when I'm out injured.

Don't get a city bike/fitness bike. You're restricted to one hand position. Not good for longer rides.

Not all road bikes are race bikes. Look into endurance or gravel road bikes. Both have a bit more relaxed geo (more upright). Opt for non-integrated cockpit so you can finetune (stem length, stem angle, handlebar width, handebar drop etc.).

If you get a gravel bike you can buy a second wheelset and switch between gravel and road tires. Even road tired on endurance bikes come in 28mm to 32mm nowadays, so they're pretty comfy, yet fast.

Tiagra and up is a good starting point. Once you get into Di2 (electronic shifting) it gets expensive.

You can get a decent aluminum bike for $2000 or carbon from $2600.

Good luck.

20min ride: warm up for 9 mins with 3x30sec hi rpm med power spins, then 4x30 seconds full out or at least 9/10 effort, 2 min soft pedal between intervals, cooldown for 3 mins after last rep. Indoors is best, no traffic/lights, short enough to ride in your underwear if your bike fit is spot on, assuming you're at home rather than a gym. Don't do full out sprints until your muscles and tendons have acclimated.

No one mentioned perineum pain or the dreaded sleepy peepy. Ensure your bike is setup right for your body type, you might have to experiment with bike seats. Expensive bike shorts will not make up for a poorly setup bike.

I bought a Peloton for my wife as I was riding with a pretty serious cycling group.

After some pretty scary near death experiences I reluctantly agreed to try the Peloton.

It was a game changer. I got fitter.

Then I bought the Peloton Tread because of the heat in the South.

Now I am in great shape. Six days a week I do a workout of 45 to 60 minute run then a 30 cooldown on the bike. I also do a warm up on the bike. Still do speed work on the track outdoors. At age 62 I ran a 20;41 5k. Pretty happy with my purchases.

I can workout 24/7 with no worry about rednecks in diesels

I raced bikes in high school and the first few years of college but found that it just took too much time and was too expensive so I switched to running. Then after 15 years of running I migrated back to cycling until a hip injury got to be too bad to run on. Others have mentioned the Concept2 rower and I will echo that (and throw in the C2 SkiErg as well). Yes, you're inside (though I roll mine outside every once in a while when it's nice), but wow can you get some good training in on both of them. And if you are competitive there are lots of opportunities to compete virtually. I used to not understand how anybody could only workout inside, but with the proliferation of streaming services that allow you to binge on just about any show or movie and virtual reality programs like Zwift, indoor training is somewhat tolerable, and very convenient. I certainly miss being outside, though.

arunnerinwa isn't wrong...indoor rowing can be boring if you aren't a highly focused individual. It works well for me because I'm easily entertained, and I do a lot of hunting, fishing, and hiking, so I still get my outdoor activity fix.

For longer steady state pieces, it's easy put on a movie, lock onto your target pace, and hammer away. For interval workouts, you spend so much time and energy focusing on wattage, stroke rate, and managing pain that time seems to fly by.

Running: Is cheaper, easier to do anytime such as on lunch breaks or before work. Very efficient for weight loss and overall fitness with fewer hours a week. It can be a bit boring after awhile depending on your loops and let's face it, runners are annoying.

Cycling: Expensive - Bike, kit and maintenance can cost more than a motorbike. Is fun to bomb down hills and you can really go deep on hills. Fewer injuries except when you crash. is way more time consuming than running - figure on 6-7 hours minimum for reasonable fitness and 10+ is better. I find 2 hours rides the minimum a couple times a week necessary to stay in shape. I find it's harder to lose weight and you have to fuel rides way more than running. Long runs I could do on water whereas the bike requires a couple bottles with carbs and/or gels.

That's about right in a a nutshell.

I have raced both. Cycling is fun as hell, cool equipment, greater range, for some more $ you can split time between MTB and road. I personally have found cycling groups to be way way more weird than running groups and usually have gigantic chips on their shoulders about riding. Lots of people with pot bellies riding 3 across the road with their middle finger out. Not as true with younger, serious training groups. That's been my take having lived in 5 cities.

You didn't say how old you are? Cycling is dangerous, but you can control some of that. The older you get, the less agile you become at preventing near falls. And, falls hurt way more, even light ones. And if you are older, bending over and hyperextending you neck for 4 hours at a clip gets painful. Get good position and fit on the bike.

I can't stress enough how ridiculous you all sound for making it sound like you have to be out there for hours on your bike to stay "reasonably fit."

Get on a Peloton or similar nice spin bike and bust your ass for a 30-minute ride (intervals, Tabatha, intervals-and-arms, power zone plus, whatever).

You guys are totally missing out! You'll get your heart rate up super high, your leg muscles will burn for minutes on end (your arms too if add in 5 to 10 mins of light dumbbells during or right after).

You CAN'T crash into a truck, you'll probably find yourself actually enjoying how smooth the pedals spin and then you can shower off and make yourself an omelet in your kitchen within 5 minutes.

This whole conversation is bizarre, with a few of us indoor cycling advocates popping in every 15th post and the rest of you ignoring us as if we're not offering you your answer.

Also, I love hiking and going for walks outside and still get to enjoy nature!

I agree is comical how extreme some of these recommendations are when the OP is looking to keep some form of fitness. Indoor cycling is a lot safer and you can get near as good bang for your buck if not better. Like you said, the intensity can be increased indoors which makes it more time efficient. Sure it's not as great as riding outside but there are major risks, and it depends on OP's risk level on how much they're willing to take. As a runner there are risks too but it's easier to avoid busy streets and you are not hitting speeds of 20-30 mph if you happen to stumble and fall.

As the person a few posts above said, the catastrophic risk with outdoor cycling/racing is much greater and as you get older that's more pronounced. However, people still get out there on the roads and do battle so to each their own.

Could you make a few suggestions? I have a nice ($700 Trek) hybrid but "rolling over 20MPH" is not only not "fairly easy" but near impossible.

That's a bizarre take!

the 83% who don't understand this should stop and consider that 16% do.

Probably around the same ratio as those who have cycled more than a few years.

I assume he makes a distinction between running and hobbyjogging.

Hi Dylan 👋

Cycling outdoors is incredibly dangerous.
IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF IF YOU HAVE A BAD CRASH, BUT WHEN.

Read that again, internalize it, and make sure you fully accept the risks before proceeding. In my cycling group of ~40 people, in just the last 5 years, we have had:

broken jaw

broken collarbone with damage to nerve of hand

broken collarbone

broken hip

broken femur

separated shoulder

broken wrist

separated shoulder

broken teeth

broken wrist x 2 --both at once

broken ribs and concussion

broken wrist

separated shoulder

broken collarbone

broken pelvis

broken teeth and wired jaw x 3 months

broken teeth

broken hand

broken wrist

broken collarbone

concussion

broken back

These are people who ride 1,000 to 8,000 miles outdoors per year. Some race, some don't.

If you ride with any regularity, IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF IF YOU HAVE A BAD CRASH, BUT WHEN.

I have been put in the hospital twice, both times due to intoxicated, under-insured drivers. First time I lost my two front teeth and broke my nose. Second time I got thrown in a ditch and have a permanent lump in my lower leg.

I can not attest to indoor cycling, as I would find that insufferable.

Cycling outdoors is fun and beautiful, and all the positive things people have said are true. Please be careful if you venture outdoors, and go in with eyes wide open.

The best part of cycling is that you can ride wherever you want and snarl at anyone who doesn't heed the right of way, and absolutely eviscerate anyone who doesn't see you.