Urban vs Trail Cycling
06-14-22, 09:17 AM
#1
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Urban vs Trail Cycling
I live in Chicago, 90% of my riding is urban, the rest is on the lake front or MUP type trails. In the city I am stopping or slowing down at almost every corner and/or alley. If I do 10 to 15 miles, my legs feel the workout much more than they do If I do 30 miles on open road or MUP.
Of course, I am constantly gaining momentum in the city.
Have others noticed this, and has this ever been quantified? Like 10 miles city = 15 trail(approximately) .
Keep on riding!
gm
Of course, I am constantly gaining momentum in the city.
Have others noticed this, and has this ever been quantified? Like 10 miles city = 15 trail(approximately) .
Keep on riding!
gm
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06-14-22, 09:54 AM
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This is probably another "It depends" question.
If you're only mildly curious, try to figure out what the ratio is from your rides and Relative Perceived Exhaustion (RPE, and yes, I know that's not how the acronym was previously derived). If you're going to obsess a little more, you'll want to get a power meter and associated data collector (GPS, for example), and figure out what your TSS/mile is for both kinds of riding.
If you're only mildly curious, try to figure out what the ratio is from your rides and Relative Perceived Exhaustion (RPE, and yes, I know that's not how the acronym was previously derived). If you're going to obsess a little more, you'll want to get a power meter and associated data collector (GPS, for example), and figure out what your TSS/mile is for both kinds of riding.
06-14-22, 10:32 AM
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If I were to ride MUPs, I'd be stopping almost as often as urban riding. Actually, I consider MUPs to be equal to urban riding. No matter how hard I push, I'm going to average 14-15 mph because of all the stops. Most of my riding is rural.
06-14-22, 11:46 AM
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It depends on where my destination is. A certain spot 18km from my home will take 25% longer if I take the trails than through city streets.
One of the reasons is that urban riding is direct and trail riding meanders all over the place.
One of the reasons is that urban riding is direct and trail riding meanders all over the place.
06-14-22, 02:08 PM
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10mi of in town/city riding may take as long as 15mi of rural paved rail trail riding, but I have not noticed the physical exertion to be 50% greater when riding in town/city.
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06-14-22, 02:23 PM
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The ones I ride on are rarely crowded so I can go as fast as I want, I avoid 99% of the car traffic and the occasional busy street crossings provide a nice chance to rest for a moment and have some water.
06-14-22, 02:49 PM
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If I was to try and ride flat out in the city, I'd be constantly stopping at lights, crosswalks, junctions etc, so that stop-start nature probably would make a ride feel longer. Riding in most big cities usually means not going more than 0.5-1 mile without stopping, putting your foot down, and having to start again.
06-14-22, 03:21 PM
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I live in Chicago, 90% of my riding is urban, the rest is on the lake front or MUP type trails. In the city I am stopping or slowing down at almost every corner and/or alley. If I do 10 to 15 miles, my legs feel the workout much more than they do If I do 30 miles on open road or MUP.
Of course, I am constantly gaining momentum in the city.
Have others noticed this, and has this ever been quantified? Like 10 miles city = 15 trail(approximately) .
Keep on riding!
gm
Of course, I am constantly gaining momentum in the city.
Have others noticed this, and has this ever been quantified? Like 10 miles city = 15 trail(approximately) .
Keep on riding!
gm
06-14-22, 03:27 PM
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Get a power meter.
06-14-22, 06:18 PM
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Hardest century I ever did is the TA NY Century. By the time you are out in Queens at like 50 miles pr so, its constant stop and start at countless traffic lights and stops signs. Really tiring compared to a century out in the countryside,
06-15-22, 07:49 AM
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gringomojado Yes! I commuted through Colorado Springs for many years and it takes much more effort than out on uninterrupted trails and roads. I grew up in Chicago and go back regularly. Even driving, on the neighborhood streets you have to watch for cross traffic at intersections and alleys.
