I believe that long before running and hiking became my main forms of movement—and consequently, sports—cycling had already become part of my life. When I was about five years old, I was already balancing on a bike on the streets of the neighborhood where I grew up.
Throughout my life, I’ve always had a bicycle by my side, whether for fun, commuting, or training. But it was in 2017 that everything changed. At that time, I was already completely immersed in the world of running, long distances, and endurance…
I remember the impact of the two videos in which Anton Krupicka talks about his journey in mountain sports and how, after a few injuries and being practically forced away from running, he found a new passion in bikepacking and gravel cycling.
My Reunion with Cycling
In *Purpose* and *Long’s Peak Triathlon*, I was able to see a greater connection between cycling and running, and it was that same year that I bought my new training partner. At the time, we were still far behind the global bike market, and it was practically impossible to buy a gravel bike in Brazil. So, I rediscovered cycling with a road bike — now more mature, with a strong background in another sport (running), and with a great desire to explore new horizons with this secondary sport.
In this reunion, I realized that cycling would indeed be very important for my development as a runner because when I started riding, I felt I could better work other muscle groups that weren’t emphasized during running. Of course, I could never do the same volume on the bike as I do on foot, but I believe that sports can connect in many ways.
This time, I brought my friend Luís Felipe Ogro (@luisfelipeogro), who, unlike me, has cycling as his main sport and only recently started running. We exchanged some ideas about how he sees the running scene and how both cultures can connect.
1 – Luís, how was your first contact with the bicycle? What cycling disciplines do you practice today?
A: When I was a kid, around 4 years old. During childhood, I’d ride in the parks near my house. As a teenager, I rode through the city center and later to my first job. Enduro and gravel bike. Also urban commuting.
2 – And what about running? Had you tried running before? What do you think changed since your first contact, and what was your biggest challenge as a beginner runner?
A: It was on the beach with a friend. We wanted to do a coastal crossing and ended up running most of the time. I had run occasionally — 1 or 2 km — very exhaustively. My biggest challenge was overcoming knee and hip pain caused by unstructured training and being overweight (120 kg).
3 – What disciplines do you practice today? Do you think they complement each other?
A: Cycling and running! They definitely complement each other. To alternate with running, the bike provides excellent low-impact training, and running greatly improves cardiovascular endurance. I could feel that!
4 – From a community perspective, as someone who’s been in the cycling scene for a long time, what differences do you see between the sports? What do you think the running world could learn from cycling?
A: In my opinion, cyclists tend to ride more in groups and do more “recreational” rides with breaks, hangouts, and beers at the end — and they don’t treat it as an event! It’s part of the culture. Now, with the rise of city running crews in Brazil, I think that’s changing! I actually started a group here in Porto Alegre.
5 – What advice would you give to someone who only runs and wants to start cycling?
A: Understand well the discipline you want to practice and start investing gradually. A super bike doesn’t make a super cyclist. You might run only on the track but end up loving mountain biking!
6 – If you could only have one bike for everything, which discipline would you choose?
A: Cross Country, because of my style and desire to ride. It’s a bike that goes relatively fast, especially on dirt roads, and can handle trails, climbs, and everything else.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to try different types of bikes. Every time I’ve included cycling more frequently in my routine, I’ve felt performance and strength gains in my running — feeling more prepared to tackle longer distances and with a more balanced body overall. From 26-inch chromoly mountain bikes to 29ers with modern suspensions and all the latest technologies, I can say I’ve found my ideal setup.
Currently, cycling takes a back seat, but in my daily life — since I live in Santa Teresa and things are a bit farther apart — the bike helps me connect places and optimize time. I also love riding through the Tijuca Forest and surrounding areas. My current bike is a 700c hybrid with a single chainring and 11-speed drivetrain, and a corner handlebar that gives me several hand positions and great comfort.
In the last three months, I’ve been using an accessory that completely changed my relationship with the bike — the Cabezon FB 6-liter frame bag by Deuter. At first, I thought I’d use it mostly on long rides or potential bike trips, but it’s been perfect for everyday use. It not only carries groceries I pick up on my way home but also keeps my belongings safe and dry. Since it’s waterproof, it’s perfect for rainy days, making rides smoother and worry-free.
This post is also available in: Português (Portuguese (Brazil)) Español (Spanish)
