It’s been three months since my first post differentiating my views on biking vs. running, so it’s time for another round.
Biking vs. Running – Volume Two
…according to an amateur.
1. When riding a bike it’s completely acceptable, if not preferred to wear your hair down. I direct this towards women, or any man with longer hair. Riding in 30 degree weather gives me an entirely new perspective on why humans were given hair. Thank you built in ear warmer.
2. I have officially biked to work, which makes me a bike commuter now right? Due to the fact that running for as little as one mile turns me into a swamp monster I could never successfully run to work without having to shower after. Biking to work ( in colder months ) is totally acceptable and stink free.
Morning commute views. I die.
3. Biking in the rain is colder than running. The wind, the moments of rest, the downhill – all give me shivers I don’t feel when slugging through a run in the rain.
4. When running I struggle to speak, leaving minimal room for friends. Biking gives more rest time so making friends is easier. Granted I have yet to bike with a friend, but my bike met another commuting bike recently. I must figure out who the grey beauty belongs to.
5. Biking does not make you invincible, and yelling at people that litter just because you’re on two wheels instead of two feet might not be wise. Then again I’d probably do the same thing when running. Littering isn’t cool.
6. Biking saves money. I’m more likely to hop on my bike and ride to the store to buy something, like sugar laden Gatorade and saltines for my mom when sick, instead of running. Although I did run to the store on Thanksgiving a few years ago for flour.
“Gimmy da cheda!”Saving money on my bike since 2015.
7. When I run I’m out there for one specific reason – to run. This is strictly to release stress, raise my heart rate, or because I’m training. When riding my bike I’m out there for adventure. The exploration opportunities are endless and the world becomes my oyster.
8. Sometimes when I run I feel people watching me. People in cars, people on the side of the road, people with binoculars…it’s eerie. On a bike I go faster than the speed of light so no one can really see me.
“I always feel like, somebodies WATCHINNGG MEEEE.”
That’s all I’ve got for now. Until next time. Happy pedaling.
Q: What was your favorite workout last week? My first bike commute! 20 miles round trip of fresh air and freedom!
Blissfulbritt 
97 thoughts on “How Biking Differs from Running – Vol. 2”
rootchopper
Love running. Wish my body would still let me. Running is better than biking because when something breaks when you are biking it’s usually the bike. When something breaks when you are running, it’s usually you.
Brittany
This comment made me laugh out loud, so true. In fact the other morning on my ride I ran over a rock and was so fearful I had popped my tire. I panicked, but thankfully all was ok!
Angela
That view!!! Loved this, I’m not a cyclist but you’ve made me want to be! 🙂
Brittany
It’s so much fun!
Angie
I love both running and biking, but I think I’m in love with biking just a little more. With winter in full effect in Montreal, I’m stationary biking right now. I do about 25 miles per workout. It’s my current fav workout right now. I just tried rowing for the first time this morning, and it wasn’t too bad.
Brittany
Stationary spin classes are one of my favorites. Must be a class though as riding stationary alone gets monotonous for me.
usabaker
wow that picture with the barn is fantastic!, yeah I know I say fantastic allot. I used to ride a bike to work 18 miles each way; if you ware a backpack you will form a large wet spot on your back 🙂
Brittany
Ha! I know the wet spot all too well. 18 miles each way is a great ride, well done!
usabaker
That was years ago, I wish I was still able to ride my bike to work but family duties override that option. 🙂
Jen at Plant Based Potential
Definitely going to have to start a savings jar for a bike!
Brittany
You must!!
pickyrunner
Yes so true to all of these. I don’t bike to work because I live a half mile away and it would take longer for me to get my bike out of my apartment and then into my office at work than it does to walk haha but if I lived further I would be biking every day. Except in the rain because you’re right. It is COLD. I wore shorts once when it was in the high 40s and Tim warned me that I would freeze but I said I run in shorts unless it’s below 40 so I would be fine on a bike. Lesson learned. I never did that again…
Brittany
Hahaha perfect running vs. biking example with apparel!
kathy at more coffee, less talky
my husband loves biking to work! it’s a good 60K for him one way so he gets in some good miles. he also like trail riding with his fat bike!
Brittany
Wow! What a great ride for him. My wheels are too tiny to trail ride, but maybe one day I can have a collection of bikes. 😝
anotherwisemonkey
Lovely post, great view.
Brittany
Isn’t it lovely?!
Adam
Racquetball.
Brittany
I can’t say I’ve ever played, but since I’ve always played foot related sports I can say I don’t think I’d be very good. 🙈
Rach @ This Italian Family
Your morning biking commute view is GORGEOUS! That looks like something out of a fairytale! So glad you are loving the bike life!
Brittany
I know! The timing was perfect with the fog and morning sun!
B
Um. That dog is BEAUTIFUL. I need it. I need to pet that puppy!
Brittany
He really is…he whines way too much, but he sure is cute.
fionajarrett
I dream of being able to bike to work, you’re a lucky girl. You’re right about the differences & both have their good points but like you say, every time I get on the bike, I feel like could cycle anywhere on an adventure. Obviously, I couldn’t but it still gives me that rebel rush!
Brittany
Rebel rush, I like that. 😝
evozeta
Ah, what a bike-commute to work view – reminds me a lot of my time in Switzerland; almost always biked to work.
My favorite workout last week was the Half-Marathon here in Austin, TX. Wished I had a bike towards the end – soooo hilly you wouldn’t believe it. But I made good on my promise to get back to the finish before my friend who was running the Marathon… only beat him by like 40min!!
Brittany
Oh man, I hate when half marathons have the hills at the end! Way to finish strong. 💪🏼
evozeta
I know, that totally kicks your behind… Ah well, it also induces the hope that had it been flat you’d have been waaaaay faster 😀
Shawna
yay for biking to work! i take the Citibike to work here and it’s wonderful and so easy (although round trip like 8 miles as opposed to your 20 — woot!). my fave workouts this past week were the past 3 mornings at the gym upstate with the boy. so fun. 🙂
Brittany
Yay gym dates are the best!!
Josh dV
If you are biking to work you are a commuter; and what a lovely commute! It certainly looks nicer than fighting cars and getting monkey noises made at me from the ABQ drivers.
I’ve run tot he store a few times, mostly Daddy Daughter outings pushing the jogger for ice cream and such but it can be a fun and efficient use of time.
Swamp monsters are no fun and I know I’m borderline on any given day. I would love a shower at work and I’d run in consistently. Alas! the only showers at the hospital are the ones the patients use and….pass.
Brittany
Hahaha and…pass. 😂 I had a friend that worked at REI and they encouraged running, biking, sword fighting to get to work etc…and had a shower there for them! I long for that kind of job…
Nickk26
Love the commute photo!
My favourite workout was on Saturday. It was pouring with rain and the fields were thick with dark brown mud. 16 miles of westcountry (uk) loveliness!
https://www.strava.com/activities/492644839
Thanks for finding me, I only read your blog and it’s like a little treat in my inbox when I’m least expecting it. Standing in Heathrow T4 at 8.31pm…..perfect time for a little slice of run, ride, coffee and cake talk.
Brittany
Oh my goodness what a kind thing to say! Thank you for reading, my posts are quite sporadic these days. Your 16 miler sounds amazing! I’ve not made it past 13.1, but if I had those fields and a willing copilot I’d attempt further distances.
Jess @hellotofit
Props to you for being a bike commuter!! I have a lot of respect for people who voluntarily choose that over the ease and convenience of a car. woo woo!!
Brittany
It’s not an everyday adventure, but when the opportunity presents I take full advantage!
treyzpop
I found your blog not to long ago and I’m using you to gain some sort of motivation for working out. This post is really helping me to want to bike again. I have a very bad back so running just doesn’t work for me but a nice bike ride would be nice. I live only a couple miles away from work so that would be an easy commute and easy start to biking. Thank you for motivating me
Brittany
Hands down my favorite comment on this post! Thank you for your kind words, and I am SO happy to have motivated you. You telling me that has motivated me to keep moving as this winter keeps trying to suck me into my couch. 😂 I find biking to work to be so rewarding, you must give it a try!
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life
I love love love this post. I’m also a bike commuter and the ride to and from work are the best parts of my day. I ride real slow and listen to podcasts 🙂
Brittany
Oh my gosh, of course you do. That’s a fantastic idea. Sounds so peaceful.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Honestly, if I had to choose – I’d go with BIKING!!!!!! I would rather like the pain of a seat jammed up my HOOO-HAWWWW then the pain in the calves, ass, thighs, etc that comes with running!
Brittany
Plus, the hoo-hawww is very versatile…eventually it will adjust. Like giving birth I assume. HAHA NOT.
bgddyjim
If you get cold on your bike, pedal harder. You’ll warm up.
Better yet, find a hill! Anti-cold topography… WOOHOO!
Brittany
Touché sir, touché! 😝
Ellie
I don’t own a bike so I cycle on the indoor trainer. Sounds boring but actually I read so I lose myself in that. It’s actually really relaxing and I talk to the people next to me sometimes. My roommate has a bike and I would like to utilize that more this spring and summer when I can. I had no idea people biked with their hair down! If I did that when I stopped it would look like Cousin It from the Addams family!
Brittany
Oh I wear a helmet, prevents wild hair Bahaha. Also protects my brain space should I get hit by a car. Knock on wood.
Hollee
Reading this makes me want to go back in time and force little 8-year-old me to learn to ride a bike. Guess it’s never too late! (Also your dog is absolutely adorable!)
Brittany
Never too late!! It’s all about center of balance.
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
I’m so with ya on feeling watched sometimes. Biking is so freeing! It feels like you’re a kid 🙂
Brittany
I just wanna say “WEEEEEEE” the entire time!
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
yes to all of this! i wish i had a safe route to bike to my bus stop but there are no sidewalks or i would totally be a bike commuter (its 9 miles from my house one way). Oh and its totally not cool to run with your long hair down, instant sign to runner you dont do this often. that sticky hot mess of hair has no business being down when your running 😉
Brittany
I feel uncomfortable just looking at people that run with hair down. WHYYYY!?
Jim Brennan
I’m with you on cycling, Britt. I cycle solo, with my daughter, sons, grandkids and buddies. Best workout last week? Backpacking in the snow through the Wissahickon, even with the spill I took on a snow covered ice patch. Ha ha!
Brittany
Oh wow, you win with the backpacking. 😍
Nicola
I managed to achieve floating in the ocean baths for 15 minutes without my 5 month old throwing a tanty! That counts right?
Brittany
Wow!! That’s quite the feat, well done!
Anthony
Faster than the speed of light-Awesome Brit, Awesome!
Brittany
Until I see a hill. 😝
Anthony
In that case, even speed of sound would be impressive.
Amy
Yes, yes, and yes!! I totally agree with every bike statement. You’d love Davis!! After living there for 6 years, I can confidently say that there are more bikes than people, and it’s probably the most bike friendly town in America. (There’s a reason it’s called the Bike Capitol of the US!) Everybody bikes everywhere: school, work, the grocery store, a friend’s house, coffee shops, going out to restaurants for dinner, doctor’s appointments, dates… You name it. And it’s really easy to find fenders for the rain. 😉 So glad you’re loving your bike!!
Brittany
Omg dates?! I’d want to ride my bike AS part of the date. Bahaha. I now want to live there.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
If I wear my hair down whilst riding a bike I end up looking like a yeti, as my hair goes everywhere!
Brittany
Hahaha my helmet helps with that. 😝
Christine
biking with friends is excellent. growing up thats all us neighborhood kids would do for entertainment. We hop on our bikes and meander through the subdivision we lived in! i would be thrilled if any friend asked to go for a meandering bike ride now!
Brittany
That’s EXACTLY how I spent my childhood as well! So much fun.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
That view, though! Omg. I seriously can’t wait until it gets warmer so that I can pull out my bike. Not that it’s freezing right now, but the ice and snow on the sidewalks makes things a little tricky. I’ve seen people out on bikes anyways, but I’ve also seen them wiping out sooooo… yeah. I’ve already made a deal with myself that I’m going to try and use my bike more than my car this summer. Fingers crossed.
Brittany
Oh yeah, ice would completely deter me from biking. My tires are somewhat thin too. I’m so ready for warmer days!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
So now I want to go buy a bike.
Actually I’ve been wanting a new bike for awhile now. Mine is technically the Hubby’s ex and the wheels don’t hold air and the seat is all hard and uncomfortable; kind of like his ex (Ba-dum-bum-ching).
I figure with the tomato coming, a new bike will be in order, although I’ll definitely need some ear warmers, what with my no hair and all.
That morning view. I die too.
Brittany
Baahahah, your comments slay me. I like to say slay. Get your non ass ass a bike.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
That first photo is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. What a gorgeous view on your commute by bike!
Brittany
I swoon every time I see it. ❤️
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Love that you commuted to work via your bike! My hubby will bike to work here and there, and I always think it seems like a great way to get in a workout.
So basically what you’re saying is that biking is better than running? If so, I COULD NOT AGREE MORE! Ha. Biking I like, running – not so much.
Brittany
Well…yes and no. Haha. I still love running and do it as much if not more than biking, but they just have their major differences and biking is more FUN for sure! 😝
katalysthealth
I never run for the STRICT reason of feeling like I’m getting stared down. I know I have a funky gait [it’s really weird, definietly not “appropriate” running technique!] but jeeze stop with the staring! I would love to be able to bike, especially now that I live in a more rural area! It’s beautiful out here!
Brittany
I know I run funny, but I have no shame. 😝
Jade
I’ve been thinking of buying a bike lately. I applaud you for your bike commute! When it’s not pouring rain here it can be really lovely
Brittany
I couldn’t agree more!
Allie Zottola
LOL at always feeling like someone is watching you while you run!! Best workout for me recently (and always) is walking Lola. It’s our little explore/fresh air time every day and I cherish it so much!
Brittany
I need to go on more outdoor walks!
dave379
Congrats on becoming a bike commuter! I rode today too for one of the first times this year, so much more enjoyable and relaxing that driving to work. It was about 30 degrees here in central Jersey too…I started without it, but then about a half mile in, I stopped and pulled out the balaclava, a good decision.
Brittany
I read this while slightly distracted, and I totally thought you said pulled out the baklava at first. 🙈
Mellie Dee
How you feel about running is how I feel about working out in front of people. That’s the reason I haven’t joined a gym. As for running, I tend to do that when it’s pitch black outside so no one can see me. hehe Good job at saving the environment by biking to work! I would totally do that if my job was ANYWHERE near me. Sigh.
Brittany
Haha I do love running in the dark for that reason, butttt I never actually do. I just rejoined my gym and despite my pants being way tight I know I won’t make progress unless I’m uncomfortable for a bit.
Mellie Dee
Guhhhh you’re inspirational. I haven’t worked out since my car accident and I’m slowly getting back out there. I will just have to be uncomfortable for a bit as well. 🙂
P
When it comes to biking vs. running, I think biking downhill beats running. In fact, you don’t really have to do much when going downhill on a bike except enjoy it! Well, it might help to know how to brake when you get to the bottom, lol.
Brittany
Yup! Downhill rides are like flying!
Lucie (@theglowwithin)
This post has just toes 1. Got me excited about summer because 2. I can (hopefully) whip out my bike again…..woo!
Brittany
Yes! I plan to bike as often as I can in the summer! ❤
Luv What You Do
I want to bike commute so badly but never had the write job, hours, or path. I’m hoping to do more biking around and less driving this year! I’m thinking the new Bux that opened might be my favorite destination…ha ha! It’s 50 degrees today and feels like spring. Can’t wait to bust out my bike!
Brittany
I wish my job allowed me to bike more, but as a supervisor my shifts are predominantly too early or too late for that. When I have a token mid shift I take full advantage!
Kayse
Yayyyy! You got your twenty miles in! My best workout this week was running around with my nieces… Sadly they’re in better shape than I am even though their legs are half the size of mine… Waaaahhh wahhhhhh.
Also, the litter thing made me giggle. I was on a walk once and someone at the stop light I was at threw their garbage out the window. I picked it up and walked up to their open car window and smiled & said, “Hey, I think you dropped this.” and dropped it on their laps. Totally guilty of being litter police.
Brittany
Omg I LOVE that litter story! You are the best.
Kayse
Haha! Lucky for me, I lived in a city with a very low crime rate…
Melanie
Love this post! I’m a runner, but not much of a biker. I want to be though! My husband and I keep saying we need to get some decent bikes. Reading your post makes me want to get them tomorrow! I looooove your breathtaking picture of your commute. Lucky girl!
Brittany
It’s such a great ride to work, the back roads are gorgeous.
Ryan
I do both, but definitely enjoy mountain biking more than running. The scenery where I live is definitely better and to me it’s more of a challenge. Great post!
Brittany
I love the way biking allows for a quicker way to explore for longer.