Turn your phone into a cycling computer

Why cycling suits people running cannot

Cycling is non-impact, which changes who can do it and how much.

Running loads your joints with two to three times bodyweight on every stride. Cycling removes that almost entirely — the bike carries your weight. For anyone carrying excess bodyweight, returning from injury, or managing knee or hip issues, cycling permits far greater weekly training volume at the same perceived effort.

And volume is what drives results. Someone cycling five hours a week comfortably will out-train someone running two hours a week and constantly nursing niggles.

Where the effort actually goes

Aerodynamic drag scales with the cube of speed. Moving from 25 to 32 km/h can nearly double required power. Practical implications:

• Riding into wind is disproportionately hard — judge effort by feel, not speed.
• Drafting saves 20–40% of energy — group rides are far easier at the same pace.
• Position beats equipment — lowering your torso helps more than most component upgrades.

Estimate any ride with the cycling calorie calculator.

Frequently asked questions