Is road riding/cycling considered an "aerobic" activity ?
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
That's a little optimistic.
Just an general rule, I use these numbers: putting out 250 watts for 60 minutes on a flat course riding at 22 mph for a 160lb rider with 20lb bike would burn 800 calories.
My personal observed number is that riding in the aerobic range (or zone 2, 65-75% max HR), I burn 40 calories per mile at about 16mph speed. Bike and I together weight about 180lbs.
Just an general rule, I use these numbers: putting out 250 watts for 60 minutes on a flat course riding at 22 mph for a 160lb rider with 20lb bike would burn 800 calories.
My personal observed number is that riding in the aerobic range (or zone 2, 65-75% max HR), I burn 40 calories per mile at about 16mph speed. Bike and I together weight about 180lbs.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#52
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 790
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
That's a little optimistic.
Just an general rule, I use these numbers: putting out 250 watts for 60 minutes on a flat course riding at 22 mph for a 160lb rider with 20lb bike would burn 800 calories.
My personal observed number is that riding in the aerobic range (or zone 2, 65-75% max HR), I burn 40 calories per mile at about 16mph speed. Bike and I together weight about 180lbs.
Just an general rule, I use these numbers: putting out 250 watts for 60 minutes on a flat course riding at 22 mph for a 160lb rider with 20lb bike would burn 800 calories.
My personal observed number is that riding in the aerobic range (or zone 2, 65-75% max HR), I burn 40 calories per mile at about 16mph speed. Bike and I together weight about 180lbs.
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Garmin's calorie guess work numbers do more damage than helping because they overstate by such a wide margin. A cyclist may feel they can eat whatever they want after a long ride, but in fact, they haven't really burned all that much.
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
Agreed on the efficiency, but there are benefits to understating the Kcal number. Here is a good article on this from PT: Powertap: kilojoules and calories burned ? Dave McCraw
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times
in
230 Posts
Exactly. So even if you burn twice as many calories/hr running as cycling, if you can cycle more, for more days in a row, than running, then in the long run, you'll burn more calories cycling.
I do find if there's only time for a half-hour workout, I go for a run. Less prep to do, no tire pressure to check etc, and quicker to get up to full speed, and a more intense workout. If I have a whole morning to work with, I'll go for a bit of a spin.
I do find if there's only time for a half-hour workout, I go for a run. Less prep to do, no tire pressure to check etc, and quicker to get up to full speed, and a more intense workout. If I have a whole morning to work with, I'll go for a bit of a spin.
#59
Senior Member
I weigh almost exactly 150 lbs. We have a 68 mile pace ride that we typically do on Saturday mornings at about ~22 MPH average (flat course, a group of 4-5). This is the combined average, including stops. When I pull, I pull at 25+ mph on this ride. It's about my limit. By the end of the ride, Strava is telling me I burn about 2,400 calories. Judging by how hungry I am after this ride, I guess that's possible but it seems high. 3,800 calories over a much slower 50 mile ride seems ludicrously high unless you're over 300 lbs.
Also, based on my experience you can burn a ton of calories cycling. It's like anything else though, you've got to go fast to really torch the calories. I would say I burn more calories running for an hour than cycling, though. Swimming fast is an even more powerful calorie blowtorch. Again, though this is all dependant on going fast. If I dog paddled 500 yards over the course of an hour, I'm not burning anything.
Also, based on my experience you can burn a ton of calories cycling. It's like anything else though, you've got to go fast to really torch the calories. I would say I burn more calories running for an hour than cycling, though. Swimming fast is an even more powerful calorie blowtorch. Again, though this is all dependant on going fast. If I dog paddled 500 yards over the course of an hour, I'm not burning anything.
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
226 Posts
And my last 50 mile 4 hour ride my buddys Garmin said we burned 3800 calories is this accurate ?
3800 calories in 4 hours is 260W. 260W on level ground is about 24 MPH solo riding a road bike on the hoods. 260W average over 4 hours suggests a 350-400W+ one hour power which is at least 27 MPH . You guys aren't that fast.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
#63
Upgrading my engine
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Alamogordo
Posts: 6,218
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Allow me to talk out of my ass for a minute...
I would say that the average runner burns more calories per hour than the average cyclist. However, the average cyclist can spend more hours per week riding than the average runner can spend running. So the potential is there to burn a lot more calories if you put in a lot of hours. But does the average cyclist actually do that? Probably not.
Take any calories burned estimate with a grain of salt. The only way to really know is with a power meter. You're better off decreasing your calorie intake by a given percentage, which is something you can actually measure fairly accurately with well under $100 worth of equipment.
I would say that the average runner burns more calories per hour than the average cyclist. However, the average cyclist can spend more hours per week riding than the average runner can spend running. So the potential is there to burn a lot more calories if you put in a lot of hours. But does the average cyclist actually do that? Probably not.
Take any calories burned estimate with a grain of salt. The only way to really know is with a power meter. You're better off decreasing your calorie intake by a given percentage, which is something you can actually measure fairly accurately with well under $100 worth of equipment.
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Allow me to talk out of my ass for a minute...
I would say that the average runner burns more calories per hour than the average cyclist. However, the average cyclist can spend more hours per week riding than the average runner can spend running. So the potential is there to burn a lot more calories if you put in a lot of hours. But does the average cyclist actually do that? Probably not.
Take any calories burned estimate with a grain of salt. The only way to really know is with a power meter. You're better off decreasing your calorie intake by a given percentage, which is something you can actually measure fairly accurately with well under $100 worth of equipment.
I would say that the average runner burns more calories per hour than the average cyclist. However, the average cyclist can spend more hours per week riding than the average runner can spend running. So the potential is there to burn a lot more calories if you put in a lot of hours. But does the average cyclist actually do that? Probably not.
Take any calories burned estimate with a grain of salt. The only way to really know is with a power meter. You're better off decreasing your calorie intake by a given percentage, which is something you can actually measure fairly accurately with well under $100 worth of equipment.
#65
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,558
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,179 Times
in
1,469 Posts
I trained pretty hard with running. There's no way my cycling comes even close to the same intensity. There are so many diversions cycling such as traffic, intersections, down hills, etc.
#66
Senior Member
I also swam in college. When you're doing 10K+ yards a day, you do indeed get extremely fit. When I was 18 I completed 100X100 @ 1:20 in a yards pool, holding right around 1:07 / 100. Those were the days. I was no where near as good as some on my team. Other guys held sub 1:00, which is insane. Top drawer competitive swimmers are some of the most impressive athletes out there, IMO.
#67
blah blah blah
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One question for the OP who rode for 4 hours: Are you asking about running in comparison to cycling because you and your buddy are planning on a 4 hour run instead of ride next time?
#68
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 790
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Low impact from here on.
We do the 50 mile ride in 3 hours usually.
The 4 hour ride was 30 degrees the whole time, it kicked my butt.
With vents taped and toe covers on my road shoes it was 60 degrees the last ride.
I had forgotten i pulled the duct tape off my shoes and the toe covers alone were no match for the cold.
The 3rd & 4th hour my feet were frozen like moon rocks.
I just wanted it to be over.
Now i have full shoe/ankle covers and chemical toe warmers but wont ride 50 miles in 30 degrees anymore.
Last edited by CNC2204; 12-24-14 at 03:32 PM.
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,475
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 371 Times
in
253 Posts
I found when using a Concept II rowing machine, a bicycle with a Power Tap and HR monitor and formula when going about as hard as comfortable at about 85% max HR in any of these the two machines say, and the calculation works out to about 1,000 Cal an hour. I can barely do an hour at that rate - and last I did was 3-4 years ago. That is at 200lbs plus. I can burn the fewest calories cycling. Basically for a given effort by you - the Cal count is close. My son races. In a regular race he burns few calories than in a TT. I believe a running race and a TT burn about the same Cal/hour. Sure runners use more - per MPH. I understand the argument that a rower, a swimmer, an X-Country skier by bringing in more of their body can use more calories. Its just that cycling quads are enough to drive someone to the top of their HR. Still the highest VO2 max numbers come from skiers. That might be the drugs, that may be the sport.
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,204
Bikes: ...a few.
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2012 Post(s)
Liked 409 Times
in
235 Posts
Allow me to talk out of my ass for a minute...
I would say that the average runner burns more calories per hour than the average cyclist. However, the average cyclist can spend more hours per week riding than the average runner can spend running. So the potential is there to burn a lot more calories if you put in a lot of hours. But does the average cyclist actually do that? Probably not.
I would say that the average runner burns more calories per hour than the average cyclist. However, the average cyclist can spend more hours per week riding than the average runner can spend running. So the potential is there to burn a lot more calories if you put in a lot of hours. But does the average cyclist actually do that? Probably not.
#71
Senior Member
Powermeter ?
My powermeter measures energy output pretty accurately.
My powermeter measures energy output pretty accurately.
Cycling is an aerobic activity that burns calories. Unfortunately there is no direct way to measure this.
KJ's of work completed can be a reasonable 1:1 approximation of calories burned. KJ (work) can be quantified with a power meter.
On one side, the calorie to joule ratio is ~1:4, so there are four joules per calorie. On the flip side, the body is only about ~25% or so efficient in producing exercise related work, losing the other 75% of energy produced as heat. These effects tend to cancel each other out, and the net effect is that KJ's of work done is similar to calories burned during aerobic exercise.
KJ's of work completed can be a reasonable 1:1 approximation of calories burned. KJ (work) can be quantified with a power meter.
On one side, the calorie to joule ratio is ~1:4, so there are four joules per calorie. On the flip side, the body is only about ~25% or so efficient in producing exercise related work, losing the other 75% of energy produced as heat. These effects tend to cancel each other out, and the net effect is that KJ's of work done is similar to calories burned during aerobic exercise.
#73
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,135
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2639 Post(s)
Liked 3,153 Times
in
1,660 Posts
The powermeter measures the work that you exert on the pedals (or hub or crank or whatever), NOT the energy required to product that work.
But, again, the two values (KJ of work exerted on the bike, and kcal your body burns in doing said work) tend to be similar.
But, again, the two values (KJ of work exerted on the bike, and kcal your body burns in doing said work) tend to be similar.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
It's aerobic until it isn't. The higher you are above your threshold power the more anaerobic exercise becomes. You'll still be breathing hard but the oxygen processed isn't enough so you rely on anaerobic sources of energy.