Originally Posted by
WillJL
I didn't suggest that using common sense wasn't necessary, I simply said that the numbers probably won't play a significant role. Avoiding "the bonk" and counting calories aren't the same. Eating before you ride is something that you can do without needing calculations and numerical complications.
Unless I've gone blind, all you said was:
Originally Posted by
WillJL
Why concern yourself with numbers? Eat what you need. Your body will tell you when and how much.
While I agree that you don't need to fastidiously count calories, I don't think you can wait for your body to tell you to eat.
Many people have little or no appetite during heavy exercise. Those people need to remember to eat regularly
even if their body doesn't tell them to eat! I, personally, shoot for the standard 250-300 cal/hr while pedaling.
Off the bike, I eat whatever I feel like eating... and usually end up losing a bit of weight. Luckily, I usually have an extra 5-10lbs left over from winters so losing a few isn't a problem.