Does walking give any cycling fitness benefit ?

[Banjo]

I only live 2.5 miles from work but with some steep granny gear hills on the way home. In icy weather I walk ,not just strolling but pushing the pace a bit . Whenever I do walk my legs feel like I have ridden hard for 30 miles and ache for a day or so.

Seriously thinking of walking once or twice a week through out the year.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Walking is different from cycling. More impact, I guess.
Shoes are important, you need thick rubber soles, trainers or walking boots or similar when taking long brisk walks. Cycling, on the other hand, is better with thin flexi soled shoes ime.
Maybe the sore legs come from the wrong type of shoes you are wearing.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I've never quite figured out why, even a couple of days after a long ride, I find walking so arduous. So my experience is the other way round but they certainly aren't using exactly the same muscles.

 

[Banjo]

Boots are fine,I have had them for ages. I think its just using muscles in a different way to cycling ,worked up a good old sweat tonight on the way home.I used to run a lot but had a few injuries and gave it up.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I think its just using muscles in a different way to cycling.

Possible. I rarely get sore legs, probably because I do long shifts standing/walking.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Just using muscle in a different way, which isn't a bad thing. No real directly transferable benefits.

 

[Peteaud]

Possible. I rarely get sore legs, probably because I do long shifts standing/walking.

Same here, i am on my feet on a 12 hour shift at work, i also like a good walk, especially along the coastal routes so quite hilly.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Walking is different, but personally I find that walking up steep hills tends to use similar muscles to cycling so there may be a benefit.

As it's another physical activity it is certainly still worth doing.

 

[Banjo]

Thanks for replies. I spend much of my working life sat down which doesnt help. Think I will try to increase the walking ,not as much fun as cycling though

 

[Crackle]

Uphill Banj or more specifically, down steep hills. Not sure it translates to cycling though. Running isn't bad, that works. Run it.

 

[Rob3rt]

Walking is different from cycling. More impact, I guess.
Shoes are important, you need thick rubber soles, trainers or walking boots or similar when taking long brisk walks. Cycling, on the other hand, is better with thin flexi soled shoes ime.
Maybe the sore legs come from the wrong type of shoes you are wearing.

???

 

[Pat "5mph"]

???

Yes, I prefer thinner shoes when cycling, for comfort. Sorry, got strange feet

 

[Crackle]

Yes, I prefer thinner shoes when cycling, for comfort. Sorry, got strange feet

Are you suggesting the rest of you is normal?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Are you suggesting the rest of you is normal?

you got a point there

 

[ColinJ]

For good bone health, you need to do some load-bearing exercise, so it would be a good idea to do regular walking. It might not make you capable of cycling much further or faster, but it would still be good for you.