Athletes, what's harder riding up that hill or running up that hill?

[kenyonchris]

I ride because I love it, run because I have to. I would rather ride up the steepest mountain pass on my road bike or the rockiest climb on my mtn bike than run up a nice, well paved slope. Run, for sure.
Having said that, while I can pretty much spin up any hill on my road bike (with an exception once when I shot out of an alley onto the middle of a really steep hill, totally unprepared and geared way too high...I pulled it off and didn't fall, but it was UGLY) there comes a time on my mountain bike where I just have lost my momentum and hit a rock and topple over. I usually can unclip, grab something, or tuck and roll.
If I ran up the same hill, I would have to stop and do CPR on myself.

[salsabike]

I ride because I love it, run because I have to.

Yup. I have been riding much longer than I have been running, and have much more of a base, including for hills. I would not be able to run up many of the hills that I ride up.

[smilingcat]

on a bike, I can take 2 second rests. Running up a hill I can't. The other thing about riding is that you can change yuor position and use different muscle groups to climb. Running, you don't have that luxury.

running is harder. Even on a 15+% grade. This is just me though.

[kenyonchris]

Yup. I have been riding much longer than I have been running, and have much more of a base, including for hills. I would not be able to run up many of the hills that I ride up.

Chasing someone up is easier. But still not easier than riding.

[aicabsolut]

I was only really good at sprinting (or hurdling) as a runner, and I couldn't stand even very mild grades. It needed to be a flat and fast track. So with that in mind, I say running up hills is always harder. The only times I've been forced to walk my bike, the gradient was too steep for running. In fact, in cycling shoes and pushing up my pretty light road bike, walking was difficult. The grades were over 20%.

[kenyonchris]

I was only really good at sprinting (or hurdling) as a runner, and I couldn't stand even very mild grades.

Does hurdling involve running at speed over large gates that I would consider jumping only on a horse? I tried one (yes, one) ONCE. Pain, embarrassment, laughter from the peanut gallery, and a permanent branding that would follow me through high school ensued. Not pretty.

[VeloVT]

For me, running is easier, especially as the incline increases.

[aicabsolut]

Does hurdling involve running at speed over large gates that I would consider jumping only on a horse? I tried one (yes, one) ONCE. Pain, embarrassment, laughter from the peanut gallery, and a permanent branding that would follow me through high school ensued. Not pretty.

Yes, that would be the hurdles