Originally Posted by
Cat4Lifer
First, thanks to you and chasm54 for your replies.
Now, I think I get what you're saying here: that two different riders at very different levels of fitness would burn different a different amount of calories, with the fitter rider burning more. I suppose that would be due to the more fit rider riding at a greater speed than the less fit rider. I suppose this because I presume that the fit rider would have lower HR than the unfit rider if both were traveling at the same speed. If that's what you're saying, then I think it agrees with what my question was suggesting. So, wont an unfit rider will use more calories than a fit rider at 15 mph because (s)he will have a greater HR? If both riders are at 150 bpm, wouldn't the fitter rider likely be traveling at a greater speed than the unfit rider? I don't doubt I'm missing something here; I'm not (nor have) making (made) a claim. I'm just honestly trying to gain some understanding here.
Thanks
Hi,
If they are the same size and weight, going at the same speed, they will burn the same calories.
The unfit rider will have a higher HR, and will have to make more effort to keep up.
If both riders are at the same HR, then the fit rider will be going faster and burning
calories at a higher rate than the unfit rider. Over a given distance, the faster you
do the distance, the more calories it takes. Power output determines speed.
Apprarently Bradley Wiggins going like the clappers over 10 miles averaged 476
watts power output, that is probably about 4 times * the calories I'd use riding
10 miles. At 25% efficiency BW would also be generating 1.5kW of internal
body heat, he'd collapse in a torrent of sweat on a stationary trainer.
rgds, sreten.
* Very rough number. I don't know my power output over 10 miles,
a lot less but it will also take me longer to do it, so the total calories
used difference is somewhat less than the power output difference.