Anyone make the switch from running to cycling with success?

Tons of former runners have done this with moderate success. Even Frank Shorter went and did a few tri's and duathlons

Yup and it wasn't until i invested over 10 grand in my bike that I felt that I was on an even playing field. A base 1,000 bike will make you pretty bad even if you're a 2:20 thoner.

Rusty Woods did!

Mike Wood

Sub 4 minute miler in College and went to Rio in cycling

Started cycling 2 years ago after running 4 years in college. This year I'll make $3-5k in prize money, and my team cover's all my expenses.

Yep! It happens. The co-founder of my coach's training group was a 1500, mile (3:57), and 3000m runner.

He's now a pro cyclist for Cannondale and competed in the Olympics last year for Canada:

http://rustywoodscycling.com/bio/

Cycling far more competitive than running?

Seriously, cycling is much less competitive than running. It requires enough of an investment to make it unaffordable to all but elite Europeans, Americans and Oceanians. In running, you compete against basically every nation in the world. Running is far more competitive.

At the top tier I'd totally agree with you. I should have said competitive at less than a world class level. It seems like every weekend there are 100 local road races where its pretty easy to make 100 bucks. Cycling races aren't as prevalent, so I was curious if this would create stiffer competition, relatively, by concentrating local talent.

Good Luck wrote:

Yup and it wasn't until i invested over 10 grand in my bike that I felt that I was on an even playing field. A base 1,000 bike will make you pretty bad even if you're a 2:20 thoner.

You do realize there is a pretty broad spectrum between 1k and 10k right?

North American collegiate runners turned professional cyclists who have competed in the past 5 years.

1) Mike Woods

2) Matt Busche (retired)

3) Bryan Lewis

4) Matt Cooke (retired)

5) Tom Zirbel (retired, moved to triathlons)

6) Jake Sitler

7) Ben King (ran in high school)

To say that it's easy to transition from running and just make money is probably a little overstated throughout this thread. There's definitely large purses throughout the country, but aerodynamics and drafting alone make it hard for the strongest to win. Let alone the fitness, skill, mentality, and tactics needed to win. And the fact that cycling can be an extremely brutal and unforgiving sport.

Can you do it? Sure, you could do it. But there are a ton of runners turned cyclists who have tried, and most will never reach the category 1 level. The one's who do, will most likely always be cat 1's and are too old by the time they even have the potential skill level to ride in a professional level pack. They may race in UCI 1.2 or 2.2 races one day, but none of them would sign to race for one of America's professional teams. You need to be an absolute hitter, if you're going to come out of college and sign on a professional American team (I'm not even talking world tour here).

Every cyclist listed above was actually able to make it to the professional level from collegiate running careers, but all of them did it very very very quickly. They got into the system, and I'm sure it has not been the easiest route for them.

If by success you just mean, racing and gaining some cash? Sure- you could have some success. I see lots of runners turned cyclists who do well in mtn biking, or cross, or some hilly road races, but if you mean-becoming a professional athlete? I'd say yes you could, but it would be rare.

If you want some honest advice about making it in the sport. Know this. Do lots of pack riding with groups, learn to put out power on the flats, get a coach, don't just hammer every ride-learn what you are actually doing. As for equipment, at first just get a nice aluminum race bike. You don't need 10-15k of gear to get on an equal playing field. This is only true in triathlons. A nice aluminum bike, a decent set of wheels, and a good groupset is all you need to start.