Distance Challenge - Runners vs Cyclists

[RobinFinderson]

Faith and I are trying to run about three miles a day, five days a week. I usually end up only running two of those miles and walking the third (I'm out of shape). So we should be good for 25-30 miles a week. We also have a chunk of travel during the proposed contest time, so we may not be able to produce those results every week of the contest.

[creekster]

in case it wasn't clear, I self identify as a cyclist, much to the dismay of real cyclists everywhere. Even so, I will be with the cyclist group.

[Borg]

in case it wasn't clear, I self identify as a cyclist, much to the dismay of real cyclists everywhere. Even so, I will be with the cyclist group.

I think I can jump in on this little adventure. I, of course, will identify with the cycling group. Therefore, if I see any runners out there trying to make me "eat their dust"...I shall simply do a 'fly by' on the road and buzz ever so close to them as I zoom on by: "Bwaahahahahahaha! How's the kneeeeees.....? "

[Sea Chicken]

Sign me up for the running group.

[cowboy]

Yeah, I agree, it's all for fun.

We need some input from people who cycle and run frequently. Maybe they could tell us from a perceived effort standpoint, what an equivalent would be.

I think the ratios are fine without being too complicated. A mountain bike on trails or a road bike on hills might get shorted a little, but without input on elevation change and road surface, the proposed rules seem as good as any. FWIW, when I ride it is usually on a dirt trail with a lot of hills, and my heart rate info suggests a ratio of 2 or 2.5 to 1, but for the purpose of this contest I don't think we want to get that picky.

[beelzebabette]

To address your suggestion that we find a dual subject matter expert to ask, I'm trying to think if there's anyone we know that both cycles and runs all the time and loves nothing more than to talk about it.

I was hoping The Dude would chime in on this. I think I'll throw up a poll around noon and let the vote dictate the road bike ratio.

[cowboy]

I was hoping The Dude would chime in on this. I think I'll throw up a poll around noon and let the vote dictate the road bike ratio.

I think a vote will just tell us the ratio of runners to cyclists.

[ERCougar]

I was hoping The Dude would chime in on this. I think I'll throw up a poll around noon and let the vote dictate the road bike ratio.

My vote is 2:1 for mountain biking, 4:1 for running.

I was watching the TdF on Sunday and at one point it showed one of the cyclist's heart rate as he was climbing (speed about 20 mph). HR 151. I never knew cycling was so easy!

Make that 5:1.

[Sea Chicken]

I'll be vacationing on Maui next month. Maybe I'll do that bike ride where they drive you to the top of Haleakala and then you coast down to the bottom.

[beelzebabette]

My vote is 2:1 for mountain biking, 4:1 for running.

I was watching the TdF on Sunday and at one point it showed one of the cyclist's heart rate as he was climbing (speed about 20 mph). HR 151. I never knew cycling was so easy!

Make that 5:1.

Thanks for bringing this up. I just matched 20 mph with nikuman's 8 mph, and we're back to 3:1.

[bluegoose]

Count me in. I'll sign up as a cyclist, but will likely put in far more miles running this month.

And I'm glad we are starting this before our tahoe trip. With 10 cyclists hitting the Tour de Tahoe for a day of mountain biking and 72 road miles, we should be able to rack up the equivalent of about 250 running miles that weekend.

Bring it on.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'll be vacationing on Maui next month. Maybe I'll do that bike ride where they drive you to the top of Haleakala and then you coast down to the bottom.

I hear they stopped that recently. Too many accidents.

[beelzebabette]

I hear they stopped that recently. Too many accidents.

They won't allow the guided tours to start in the park anymore. Apparently, you can still start an unguided tour (bike rental only) from the top. I don't know the names of the vendors for the latter, though.

[RC Vikings]

They won't allow the guided tours to start in the park anymore. Apparently, you can still start an unguided tour (bike rental only) from the top. I don't know the names of the vendors for the latter, though.

Just do an Archaea and ride up the thing.

[creekster]

Speaking of Archaea, I asked him about the ratio of running and riding, given that he is a triathlete and does both regularly. Her is is succint but complete response:

I think it's closer to three to one than four to one, but it's probably in between.

So we are in the right neighborhood. I could live with either three or four to one.