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aaronmcd 12-03-13 06:37 PM


Originally Posted by acidfast7 (Post 16298557)
yeah, my commute is roughly flat 25km RT and all it does is bounce up and down between 0 and 250 or so.

i'm just more curious from a nutritional standpoint what i'm burning. i guess 300±100 kcal.

At total load of 195 lbs and speed of 18.64 mph:
Assume on the easy end:
Crr = 0.0033
CdA = 0.33
Tailwind = 5mph
Grade = -0.3%
Power = 67.7 watts, energy = 1.1*67.7*60*40 = 179 kcal

Assume on the hard end:
Crr = 0.0038
CdA = 0.38
Headwind = 5mph
Grade = +0.3%
Power = 277.9 watts, energy = 1.1*277.9*60*40 = 734 kcal

So, calories burned = 457±278

(Also assuming 95% efficiency in bicycle)

spare_wheel 12-03-13 06:41 PM


Originally Posted by spivonious (Post 16293706)
Riding for transportation doesn't burn as many calories as riding for exercise.

Generalize much?
Since my commute is very short (10 miles total) I tend to cycle more vigorously than on training rides. I burn about ~800-900 calories a day commuting (800 foot elevation gain - 190 lbs - 20ish rolling average).

Giant Doofus 12-03-13 07:44 PM

I can never get these calculations to match my actual experience. I seem to need fewer calories than the calculators say I should and burn fewer than they say I do. About 12 years ago I needed to lose some weight, about 25 pounds. The calculators were helpful for giving me a sense of what to aim for. When I realized I couldn't eat what they said I could, I adjusted downward until I found the sweet spot. I lost 20 pounds and maintained that for 12 years. Never could drop that last 5 pounds. Until now. I started bike commuting 12 miles r/t each day back in September. I haven't changed anything else and the five pounds is gone. Just like that.

JPprivate 12-04-13 09:11 PM

not to needlessly complicate this any more. But does age factor into all of this?

megalowmatt 12-04-13 11:53 PM

Yes but only to make us wiser.


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