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Walking (Fun!) vs Bicycling for Exercise

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Walking (Fun!) vs Bicycling for Exercise

Old 12-18-20, 08:09 PM
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5 mph
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Walking (Fun!) vs Bicycling for Exercise

I knew it was time to stop running after I needed Shoulder replacement surgery. . I didn't want the artificial parts in my body to outnumber my real parts...steel shoulder. dental implants, steel pins in my leg, false teeth ..cataract lenses..no thanks, dont want plastic knees.
So I gave up running, took up walking . So much Fun!
Ever try Walking with passion or emotion? Don't you enjoy the thrill of passing someone at 2 miles per hour? And the scenery sweeping by you...the sheer ecstasy of seeing the same tree or house for 10 minutes!
Ever pass a car at 38 mph on a bike? Kind of a thrill, made you feel like you were 20! With walking the thrill was barely beating the post office truck when it stopped at an apartment complex with 50 units.
Not to mention how young walking 5 miles made you feel! Know that feeling of riding 30 miles on your bike and how you felt like you were 30?
How about how depressed you were after taking an hour to go 4 miles? Not to mention being chased by a 21 year old dog or stepping on dog poop.
You thought it was time for estate planning, right?
Thanks Biking! Thanks Bike forum! Love you.

Last edited by 5 mph; 12-18-20 at 09:31 PM.
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Old 12-18-20, 08:27 PM
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I've passed cars at 55mph, that was a thrill though they nearly crashed.
Rollerblades are supposed to offer the same level of workout as running without the stress. They don't look cool but knee, elbow, and wrist guards along with a helmet will keep you safe. Just start off with abec 1 or 3 bearings till you learn good control and then upgrade the bearings to faster.
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Old 12-18-20, 08:36 PM
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There's research out there now that indicates that low impact sports are not particularly good for joint health. The impacts that come from exercise like running provide protection from osteoarthritis. For example...https://cathe.com/the-effect-of-high...n-knee-health/
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Old 12-19-20, 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by davester
There's research out there now that indicates that low impact sports are not particularly good for joint health. The impacts that come from exercise like running provide protection from osteoarthritis. For example...https://cathe.com/the-effect-of-high...n-knee-health/
Hello Mr. Davester and good evening. This is in friendly disagreement
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/...oof-your-knees

https://www.webmd.com/pain-managemen...knee-exercises

Since our wise and in the box moderator is going to moves this to Ills and Pills anyway., this is probably immaterial
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Old 12-19-20, 08:13 AM
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@5_mph Just go "walking" in a park or on a trail... now you're "hiking" and it sounds way cooler! I go hiking all the time at a local state park as cross-training for cycling and while it's technically just walking off-road, I love it. For bonus points, take a camera and take some pretty pictures
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Old 12-19-20, 08:14 AM
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Walking is best executed with boys who are simpatico.
And only thru forests.
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Old 12-19-20, 09:21 AM
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During my work days(5 days a week) I walk fairly fast with my long legs , every morning to get a cup of coffee. It is about 1.5 miles and I love sunrise! On weekends I do about 40 miles on my bike. Sometime at lunch I ride my bike to get out of the shop for half an hour. For me both are fine and I can eat what I like and stay trim. My knees will not allow me to run anymore and I don’t want surgery. Yes, I know they can do it easily now , I am just not ready for that. I can surf, ride , and walk with no discomfort so I will hold off on surgery .
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Old 12-19-20, 09:53 AM
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About 18 months ago I tore my left hip labrum and went from hiking up to 15 miles to being barely able to walk1 mile. I have worked my way up to 8 mile hikes maybe twice per week. I now have developed OA in my left knee and wear a brace. Ice, Penetrix, compression and PT do help a lot.

Road cycling does not aggravate the knee so I have that. I would like to defer any surgeries until 65 y/o. I am 57 now.
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Old 12-19-20, 07:05 PM
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I used to wonder why I didn't see more old folks hiking mountain trails, since it seems like such a perfect exercise for preserving health, flexibility, balance, all that good stuff. Gradually, I found the answer: it's injuries. Say you have one chance in a billion to get injured at any moment. But after a billion moments, there you are. Therefore anything one can do to lessen the chance of injury is very important for folks in this subforum. So what things? I've had positive neural feedback from stretching, strength training, walking, road biking, hiking, and Nordic skiing, preferably doing all of them because no one thing does it all. Every one of those things is missing one or more positive effects.

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Old 12-19-20, 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 5 mph
How about how depressed you were after taking an hour to go 4 miles?
Lighten up. I've taken all day to walk 4 miles. I blame the neighborhood. Total lack of infrastructure maintenance.

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Old 12-19-20, 10:46 PM
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My wife and I walk 21 miles a week, every week, walking our dog. For the year just about 1000 miles. Amazing how it adds up. Pre-COVID was an avid hiker and would do 8 mile 3000’ climbs every weekend and shorter hikes when not on the bike. I really enjoy both hobbies. Here he is kicking back after a walk.

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Old 12-20-20, 09:12 AM
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Ride a bike, save your knees for when you get old!
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Old 12-20-20, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by davester
There's research out there now that indicates that low impact sports are not particularly good for joint health. The impacts that come from exercise like running provide protection from osteoarthritis. For example...https://cathe.com/the-effect-of-high...n-knee-health/
Ever been around a bunch of old runners?
“How’s your knee replacement doing Chet?”
“It’s great Bob, are you still leaning toward the titanium ‘triathlon’ Stryker model?”
”Sure am, I heard Phil is going for one this week with Dr. Kneecutter.”
All of them be washing down naproxen with their sports drinks....
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Old 12-20-20, 10:37 AM
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I’m walking a lot more nowadays. It’s a nice change of pace.

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Old 12-20-20, 01:42 PM
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My usual walk to work is 2 miles. Don’t mind it at all. And during lunch I often walk to a local market to pick up stuff for dinner. Usually something interesting to encounter in the big city.

My 7 day walk in the backcountry of Glacier National Park featured 5 moose and numerous goats and sheep.

And I’ve never flatted while walking.😀

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Old 12-20-20, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by billridesbikes
Ever been around a bunch of old runners?
“How’s your knee replacement doing Chet?”
“It’s great Bob, are you still leaning toward the titanium ‘triathlon’ Stryker model?”
”Sure am, I heard Phil is going for one this week with Dr. Kneecutter.”
All of them be washing down naproxen with their sports drinks....
I've known a number of cyclists who switched from running. Sometimes they have a big aerobic engine but no handling skills.
Also worked with a guy who ran several times per week and quit due to shinsplints. He talked about switching to bikes but got fat instead.
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Old 12-20-20, 04:25 PM
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I am a runner but have runner’s dystonia so mostly have to walk fast. I don’t like it but glad I can do that. Thankfully it does not bother my cycling and I can ride great. I have always cycled over years but now primarily do that to get good work out. I think because of my running I can cycle many miles continuously and not need to stop. I wish I could retain my brain to run.
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Old 12-20-20, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Wildwood
Walking is best executed with boys who are simpatico.
And only thru forests.
I had a friend that I would trek through the neighborhood with. Got to see a lot more things, by walking, though I prefer riding a bicycle.
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Old 12-20-20, 06:08 PM
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When I walk, my feet and ankles hurt. When I bike, nothing hurts. Guess which one I do.
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Old 12-20-20, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by grizzly907la
I had a friend that I would trek through the neighborhood with. Got to see a lot more things, by walking, though I prefer riding a bicycle.
I don't necessarily claim to know those boyz.
But the picture carried a sorta whimsical determination...... to walk & smile.
The title does call for 'fun' while hoofing it.

edit: cycling mileage exceeds walking mileage. But some months the time-in-boots exceeds time-in-saddle.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 12-20-20 at 07:32 PM.
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Old 12-20-20, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by big john
I've known a number of cyclists who switched from running. Sometimes they have a big aerobic engine but no handling skills.
Also worked with a guy who ran several times per week and quit due to shinsplints. He talked about switching to bikes but got fat instead.

Add me to the list. Was constantly nursing running injuries and switched over about 80% to cycling and 20% running. After getting plantar fasciitis a year ago after a run I completely gave up running. Now I walk quickly instead. Did 4 miles today after a back tire problem and I couldn’t ride
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Old 12-21-20, 08:33 AM
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Walking as the primary exercise wouldn’t do it for me. That’s why I will ride in the cold snowy winters.Walking the woods and swamps during hunting season is very enjoyable, walking is a good activity that gets one outdoors. Much healthier than riding or walking inside.

Just my 2cents, your opinion will vary.
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Old 12-21-20, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by OldsCOOL
Walking as the primary exercise wouldn’t do it for me. That’s why I will ride in the cold snowy winters.Walking the woods and swamps during hunting season is very enjoyable, walking is a good activity that gets one outdoors. Much healthier than riding or walking inside.

Just my 2cents, your opinion will vary.
Agree and concur 100%
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Old 12-21-20, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by OldsCOOL
Walking as the primary exercise wouldn’t do it for me. That’s why I will ride in the cold snowy winters.Walking the woods and swamps during hunting season is very enjoyable, walking is a good activity that gets one outdoors. Much healthier than riding or walking inside.

Just my 2cents, your opinion will vary.
Agree and concur 100%
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Old 12-23-20, 01:17 PM
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I do a fair amount of cycling, 4-5mph walking, and a bit of jogging, often combining transportation needs with exercise. I complement these with weight lifting, as well as knee extensions.

The fun part is walking about 3km at 5:30am to the local YMCA to use their now-outdoor weight equipment. Even though I typically get an ear canal temperature reading of about 36C or 97F (normal early morning reading for me) when I leave home, by the time I get to the Y I almost always fail to register ("LOW") on their forehead scan thermometer. I tell them either I am a zombie or the coolest-headed person they know. I did try an ear canal check after returning home from early morning bicycling and got a reading of 94F.
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