Hi all

I've been riding 100+ miles a week recently but it is only spread over 2 rides on the weekends. This weekend I did one long ride of 65 miles where I pushed myself to my limit and then a less strenuous recovery ride the next day for as long as I can keep my legs moving at a gentler pace. I was exhausted immediately after the main ride which is in hilly terrain and I tried to do it as an intense effort in one go without stopping for a rest and at as high a pace as I can maintain, but I felt completely recovered after a couple of hours. The recovery ride was on a flat course. I do not ride on weekdays.

I was wondering if this is more or less effective for weight loss and increasing fitness than doing the same distance in the following alternatives:

a) more frequent intense shorter rides
b) more miles on my main ride but at an easier pace

Thanks