For some four years, I negotiated the streets and environs of Dumaguete riding a bicycle. One day, I tried to walk from the FU main campus to the north campus, and I was shocked the usual spring and strength to perform the basic human locomotion movement of walking. I am back to walking now, and ride my bicycle only when necessary.

Then Katie Johnson, former ESL teacher of FU, emailed me an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle (May 15, 2010) titled Cycling good, but not good enough. The article explains that since most of everyone knows how to ride a bike, and cycling has long been considered one of the easiest and safest way to indulge in an aerobic workout — being gentle on the joints– it would be an excellent form of physical activity to take up. Doctors often recommend  biking for people  who are trying to lose weight.

It’s not as efficient as running though. The average person will burn more calories in 30 minutes of running than an hour of cycling – but it’s not as hard on body.

However, recent research suggests that cyclists may have reason to worry about more than just avoiding cars on the roads. “People who devote too much time to cycling, and don’t get enough of other forms of exercise may have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis because their bones don’t get enough of day-to-day pounding,” sport doctors say.

Studies indicate that cycling, without other forms of exercise may be too low-impact for good bone health. “No-impact exercise may have bad impact for bones. Many cyclists have suffered fragility as a result,” said Dr. Srinivas Ganesh, a sports medicine specialist with Kaiser Permanente in Redwood City, a cyclist himself.

“We really try to tell cyclists it’s great try to tell cyclists it’s great what they’re doing, but you need to realize that the bones underneath those muscles are not as strong as they could be,” he said. “I tell my cyclists that they’ve got to get out there, and do something else, too.”

Several recent studies have found that professional cyclists have lower bone mineral density – a way of measuring the risk of developing osteoporosis – than people of the same age who are moderately active but don’t bike.

The theory is that bones are designed to get regular impact, even if it is just from walking around, and without that impact, the bones lose strength and density.

Even a casual walk down the street puts more impact on the bones than biking and cyclists who spend all their time biking would probably benefit from regular walks and hikes – or even better, a short, intense run a couple of times a week, said Dr. Thor Besier, director of research at Stanford University’s Human Performance Lab.

“Bones and cartilage are designed to withstand pretty large impact loads, and they like that kind of loading,” Besier said. “If all you did was cycle, and you compared yourself to someone who all he did was walk, wellm walking would provide much more stimulus for bone and cartilage health.”

Still, cyclists are often a stubborn bunch when it comes to getting off their bike. Besier himself said e is a competitive cyclist who doesn’t spend nearly enough time cross-training. “I should just get out and do a 10-minute run,” he said. “But i usually don’t.”

recreational cyclists probably don’t need to worry about there bone health, sports doctor said, but they still should consider adding in some sort of moderate-to high impact working every week.

Confronted with this research finding, Foundation University through its Institute of Youth Sports for peace, as a component of its social corporate responsibility will stage a three-quarter marathon (31.5 km) duathlon for bikers of Negros Oriental to help them stay healthier, and protec them from the bone-related maladies they are prone to.

What is a duathlon? “Duathlons are most similar to triathlons, with the key difference being the lack of swimming leg. It is much more specific, and there are three separate race sections, but only two sports. Primarily, people first run a set distance, then bike a set distance, and for the final event, run another set distance. ”

Standard distances fro duathlon may vary. For the initial staging we plan to undertake there will also be a major difference from the usual run-bike-run format. we plan to have just a race consisting of a 28.5 road-and-off with a threee kilometer run.

The regular route of Dumaguete Adventure Marathon, passing through Sibulan (Brgy. Calabnugan);Valencia(Brgy. Balili -Lower, Cambucad, Pulangbato Palinpinon); Dumaguete(Looc,Piapi, Camanjac, Tinago,Candau-ay, finishing off at Robinsons Place in barangay Calindagan) will be ulitilzed.

This event is set for july 2010, and will become an integral part of the 5th Leandro Sinco Challenge Races, held every year in commemoration of FU’s founding anniversary.

All bicycling enthusiasts of Negros Oriental are encouraged to start traing for the event. A regular run should be part of the training preparation. A token entry fee will be collected, and registration will be online. Log on to the Dumaguete Adventure Marathon website for information on developments.