Can some experienced cyclist, who may or may not have some background in running, explain to me how cyclists are able to cycle for so many hours like they do without hitting the wall. At the Tour de France, cyclists race 5 to 6 hours per day for 3 weeks. I'm not really sure runners could do that but if they did they would have to go very very slow like not too much faster than a walking pace. Usually, a runner training daily at a moderate pace will deteriorate rapidly after about 1.5 hours. This was even verified by a nutrition class I took where the instructor said that muscle glycogen levels deteriorate rapidly after 1.5 hours. So how are serious cyclist trainers able to cycle for 5 to 6 hours per day.
Basically, I would like to know this. Would it be physically possible to do the Tour de France running for about the same time as cyclists cycle - 5-6 hours per day? Or is cycling just not as demanding as running and so glycogen levels last much longer and you can go on for many more hours. You tell me.
Basically, I would like to know this. Would it be physically possible to do the Tour de France running for about the same time as cyclists cycle - 5-6 hours per day? Or is cycling just not as demanding as running and so glycogen levels last much longer and you can go on for many more hours. You tell me.