they bike like forever but dont have megalegs...?big legs, yes, but not like huge/mega...if i rode a bike like that i would expect cannons for legs even without 'roids
2007-09-11 15:26:51 · 8 answers · asked by Joseph K 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Endurance workouts build up a different type of muscle than weight training. Endurance muscles are smaller, but better defined.
2007-09-11 15:44:39 · answer #1 · answered by mcmufin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you seen the sprinters' legs? They're just one step away from Olympic speed skaters!
But if cycling was all about muscles, then you'd see bodybuilders riding the Tour, right? It's power-to-weight ratio that matters most, and being bulky only hinders riders on the climbs.
How much difference could 10lbs of extra muscle make? Notice how the sprinters that race for the first 6 stages are eerily missing from the mountain stages, despite their sheer power. And a rider can make up more time in the mountains than he can in a sprint.
2007-09-12 02:24:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A couple things here.
1. like everyone said it's endurance work, not low rep work
2. These guys are extremely lean. All you see is muscle. You'd be surprised at their legs in person. You can see the muscle though the paper thin skin.
3. You're talking about the best stage riders, given the task thin is in.
4. Many pro crit riders have very big legs. Many state and regional level rides amature and pro have massive muscles. They ride hard shorter races.
5. Check out what track sprinters look like. I've seen guys that look like body builders from the hips down - massively muscular legs. And from the waist up normal thin bikers.
2007-09-11 22:21:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many reasons but mostly Genetics & Training.
Basically people with Genes for big muscles do not make good long distance cyclists. Pro road cyclists are thin and efficient to give the high power-to-weight ratio to ride quickly over varied terrain. Muscle weighs a lot which is not good if you want to win The Tour.
Then there is the training, riders train and diet to allow them to keep their weight down. These guys count every calorie and ride massive distances to burn off any excess fat. Endurance training also encourages your muscle fibres to become tolerant to work, lean and thin.
You need to do weight and power work to encourage big muscles. Some people just do not have the right type of makeup to have large muscles. Most people tend to practice something they are good at, so thin people ride hilly long races, muscular folk ride the flat short events (it's not THAT clear-cut but it's a good guide).
Short-distance/sprint Track, BMX and Mountain Bike downhill & 4-cross riders are usually heavily muscled with lots of "fast" muscle fibres to let them get maximum speed over a short flat-to-downhill course.
Check out the links below and compare the builds of Marco Pantani (Fantastic mountain climber (now dead) - Height: 1.72m Weight: 57kg and Chris Hoy (a great Track sprinter) Height: 1.85m Weight: 90kg
I guess it is a case of "horses for courses"... :~)
2007-09-11 23:02:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I challenge you to ride a bike 8 hours a day for a job and see if you have popeye legs, I'm guessing not.
2007-09-12 05:41:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because bike riding is cardio which will build up lean muscle not bulk muscle. At least that's what Raptor Jesus told me in my dreams.
2007-09-11 15:37:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do lots of reps at low force. You only bulk up from higher force with few reps.
2007-09-11 16:23:59 · answer #7 · answered by jman4117 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have not been eating their spinach....arg gug gug
2007-09-12 02:27:40 · answer #8 · answered by Jay P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋