Runner adding cycling to my activities

[Darrell]

Hi everyone:
I started running 2 years ago at the age of 58, since than i have run in 16 races including 2 Half Marathons. Six months ago I decided to get my old department store bike out and start cycling, loving it ! My big issue was climbing hills that i have no problem running up. Many people I know that ride and are not in any better shape than me don't have the same problems. So i went out yesterday and bought a new bike. Of course it hasn't stopped raining since I got it. Hope to get out tomorrow and try the new beast out....
Besides the new bike being a much better quality, and lighter, it has 29 inch wheels, my old bike has 24 inch.
Hope to learn a lot from you guys ........

 

[Shaun]

Welcome to CycleChat Darrell.

 

[i hate hills]

Welcome mate . Here's to agood dry weekend so you can unleash the beast. All the best Mike.

 

[The Jogger]

Welcome Darrell, what bike did you get?

 

[steveindenmark]

Darrell,

I am 55 and there is nothing wrong in pushing a bike uphill. We have earned the right.



Steve

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi and a warm to you.
Cycling up hills uses different muscle combinations than running up hills.
Once the muscles used for hill riding become developed you'll get up them better.
Enjoy your bike.

 

[Venod]

Welcome Darrel the hills will get easier with practice, there is a runners thread if your interested. I am a year older than you although not running as much as I used to, I find cycling easier on the knees, try to develop a high cadence you will soon be addicted.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/any-runners-on-here.110181/page-27

 

[Bryony]

Hi

 

[midliferider]

Well done, It is never too old to start cycling. In fact it is better to take up cycling over running as you get older. It is less damaging to your joints and so on. It is even better to alternate two activities as they uses different muscle groups and has less pressure on the joints etc.

I have some personal experience of your situation. I do both running and cycling purely for pleasure but nothing like the distance that you run. I found that my running becomes easier as I spend more time on the saddle. Your increase in endurance pays off.

What I have realised is that riding hills is an art based on science. You need to learn the art of climbing. That includes how to peddle, use gears appropriately, how to breath, how to hold the handle bar etc. With your level of running, you can climb the alps with the right kind of technique (and perhaps the right bike!)

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi Darrell and .

What bike did you go for?

Very cheap bikes are usually pretty horrible to ride so I'm sure you'll see a big difference riding the new one. Make sure your saddle is set high enough, don't be afraid to make use of the gears and you'll be flying up those hills before you know it.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Welcome Darrell!
Enjoy your new bike and show us a picture

 

[Louch]

Welcome. As a fellow runner who became a cyclist, and now forces himself to run, I can attest there's limited crossover in fitness for both. Cyclings not only more fun, hurts you less and lets you see more, it's also far more sociable. Few runs have cake stops In the middle!

 

[paul04]

Welcome to the website,

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Greetings Darrell

I went the other way, & came to running from riding back in 2007, & kept on going

 

[nicholas]

Welcome to the forum send us some pictures of your beast I mean your bike of course tiger