Yes, MFP is fantastic. I dropped almost 80lbs from July12 to Jan13 with the help of the MFP app.

Note that the math behind calories is just ONE element of diet success, the other is moderate exercise. Since you're on a bike forum I assume you have that covered. For me the trick was pretty simple:

1. Run a ~400-600cal deficit for the target TDEE for my target BMI
2. Cut out a few things that ruin your progress. For me it was fast food (which I was eating 3-5 days a week for lunch)
3. Stay active. Instead of fast food for lunch, I'd eat a salad or something light then walk 2-4 miles on my lunch break every day, rain or shine.

I think #3 is what really helped the lbs come off.

I've been maintaining my weight now for 8 months and still count every calorie and track all my fitness activities. It's become a habit that I don't want to break, it keeps me in check and it adds a bit of a "reward" feeling for my cycling (which I only started in February). There is something awesome about going out for a 3 hour ride and coming back and adding ~1500 calories to my daily intake allowance!