Running or cycling - which do you prefer?

[JohnSnowsTie]

Am thinking of taking up both (moving on from daily 3.5 mile walks).

Second question - would spinning be a more time-effective alternative to cycling, seeing as I can only do evenings?

I love both, and adore spinn classes. The advantage of running is that you don't really need to buy anything, aside from shoes and a running bra.

Why don't you download the NHS couch to 5k podcasts. They are excellent. Loads of mumsnetters use them. Try a spinn class and see what you think.

I prefer running, think it just works better for me

I liked spin class, but they were always while i was at work so i stopped going, but deffo an alternative. gets your heart racing, sweating and generally feel massively achey after it. Some people do get bored, so give it a go and see how you find it.

Running for me. But then I can't ride a bike! Even though I'm 33

Cycling. Running wears your joints out and is so slow! And I love tinkering with bikes

I do both. I love cycling, I feel so free and have fun on a cycle, but I run more often as I can run with less fuss. Just shove on trainers and go.
It takes me five minutes to get the cycle in and out of the house, and when time is short that's five minutes that could be better spent. No helmets, no risk of puncture, no having to plan for traffic, or planning a nice scenic route, etc. I find it easier to fit a run in, than a cycle. Also I like listening to music when I run, whereas if cycling, particularly on roads, headphones are a bad idea- you need to hear the traffic overtaking dangerously close to you.
But as I said earlier, I think cycling is so much more fun. If I could only do one for life it would be cycling, not running.

I love cycling, hate running.
Love being able to cover distances and tackle hills even if they make me swear.

Running is hard work and you can only run where you live... Same territory each day.

I love running, hate the cycling on a road with all that traffic, I know too many people who've had accidents.