biking to stay in shape while nursing an injury

are you dressing like a superhero when you ride?

that seems to be an important part of cycling.

no , I don't, I just wear basketball shorts, and a cotton shirt. haha I laugh when I zoom by these guys on my hybrid, while they are decked out in all their gear and on some racing bike. I just want some decent advice from anyone who has gone through this or knows something that I don't. Thanks

Usually you need 2-3 hours a day on the bike to maintain your running base. Even 4 hours equates to a good long run. And when you start running again, your running muscles will be horribly atrophied. It usually takes awhile to get back in shape from a long lay-off and cross-training on the bike. But mark my words, in about eight months to a year down the road, you will be running like a complete animal if you get through the rough spots. And you will find you have a bit fresher legs due to the lay-off coupled with the maintained conditioning. Again though, it just won't kick for you in right away. Be patient and you'll tear it up in 2006-07.

I tried that once.

Broke the left arm in collision w/onother biker.

You really should get a good pair of biking shorts and a good biking shirt. They needn't be "superhero"ish (although I was in a bike shop yesterday and it does look like a try-out camp for Marvel comics). Keep the shorts black and long (but above the knee). These are really uncomfortable except on the bike but they are very good for the long ride. There's a reason for this type of sport-specific clothing. The shirt has the rear pockets for stowing stuff, phones, bananas, gloves, power bars. I happen to have a bright yellow one for road visibility and a pink one because I'm part Italian.

And you should also have the clip-in pedals, which give a more complete leg work-out. I've tended to do 1 hour or 1 and a half (20 to 30 miles) at 90 RPM or more as base maintenance when I can't run for a stretch. The sports are different and you use different muscles.

hmm, well I might look kind of odd on my regular hybrid bike, just riding around in stuff like that. So far I haven't really had any complaints about my baggy outfit. Except a little bit of short ride up. Are the clip in pedals really necessary for non speed biking? I have to stop for street lights quiet a bit on my way to a park so that's why I decided not to get them. Also..wow, 2-3 hours...I'm pretty beat the next day after an hour of what feels like hard riding. I'll have to step it up today.

Because you are not using your upper body at all while cycling, your heart rate is lower for a similar effort as compared to running. Aim for 10 beats LOWER while cycling than your typical running HR. This will allow you to ride day after day, without feeling beat, just like running at an easier pace. Get the clip in pedals for sure, they will let you "pull up" on the pedal stroke, working your hammys, a crucial running muscle not used much in cycling. This will reduce the time to return to normal running, as the muscle wont be as atrophied(sp?).

Cheers

AF

You quickly get used to clipping out when you have to stop. And I didn't realize the lower HR item. I can never get my biking rate up to my running rate. My point about the riding gear is that it is functional. That said, a lot of mountain bikers go with the baggy short look and it suits them just fine. Whatever works for you.

I have a hybrid as well, but the bike shorts really, really help. You can also get a nice shirt with a pocket in the back that doesn't look dorky at all.

yes, you have to bike longer than you would run, but a lot of people on here seem to really have something against biking.

I have done good 20 mile runs (that is, at 6 minute pace and below), and now I do some good 60+ mile bike rides (around 21 mph average with hills, traffic stops, etc...). the long rides seem to take at least as much out of me. Sometimes more.

I don't know how many calories i'm burning and all that crap, but i do know that you people who think cycling is so easy should get on the roads with someone who can actually ride.

justme wrote:

yes, you have to bike longer than you would run, but a lot of people on here seem to really have something against biking.

Because they are puny little queer runts who can do nothing but prance around in gay little shorts.

Ha ha hahahahaha

jpgarland wrote:

There's a reason for this type of sport-specific clothing. The shirt has the rear pockets for stowing stuff, phones, bananas, gloves, power bars. I happen to have a bright yellow one for road visibility and a pink one because I'm part Italian.

You mean part gay.

To the original poster, listen you're alright as long as you don't start shaving your legs. When you reach that point, you might not suck it, but I know you'll hold it 'til the swelling goes down.

.

BiIly Bob Thorton wrote:

You mean part gay.

To the original poster, listen you're alright as long as you don't start shaving your legs. When you reach that point, you might not suck it, but I know you'll hold it 'til the swelling goes down.

the few elite runners i know (as in national champs, sub-4, sub 2:15) shave their legs. I know it's not as common among runners as cyclists, but there are a decent number of good runners who do it. And they don't even have the road rash excuse!

ps. i ride, and i don't shave

Play around with the resistance levels and keep the HR high.

yea, that definitely works, but it limits how much time I can spend on the bike because it's a lot harder to pedal. And my non bike-efficient quads can only take so much.

BiIly Bob Thorton wrote:

You mean part gay.

You're clueless.

everyone hear is an idiot i hate you all and will kill each one of you soon