[Tech Tee]

I have been through LOTS of websites with calculators that all have the same information. I'm guessing from the US Gov.<br><br>
Basically, they have weight, minutes cycled, then "intensity".<br><br>
for intensity, there is < 10 mph, then it jumps from 10-11.9 mph.<br><br>
In my mind, that's a pretty big jump (especially if you plug in the same numbers for both intensities).<br><br>
I realize that there are LOTS of variables, but can't they come up with something better than a 2 mph range?<br><br>
Last night I rode about 15 miles at maybe a 10.5+ pace. Does the number I get for calories burned come from 10 mph, 11.9 mph, or "somewhere in the middle"?<br><br>
Also, does anyone know of a better calculator or other method that can be a little closer than the govt. ratings which aren't very specific?<br><br>
Thanks,<br><br>
Jeff

 

[MBannon]

<p>I doubt any generic formula could give you a number with enough accuracy to make the difference between 10.5 mph and 11.9 mph significant.  There are simply too many variables.  Your weight, the type of tires on your bike, elevation gain/loss on the course, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and many other factors will affect the actual number of calories burned.  Best you will ever get is a very rough estimate, so I would accept whatever seems reasonably accurate.  As long as you stick with the same formula each time, you can at least guage your progress.</p>

 

[1Topodope]

<p>In the past I went to several websites and entered my informartion and then took the average.  After doing that for a while I invested in a heart rate monitor with calorie counter.  At this point, this is as accurate as I am going to get considering the calories are based on my age, height, weight and heart rate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck! </p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007368" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MBannon</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007368"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a><br><br><p>I doubt any generic formula could give you a number with enough accuracy to make the difference between 10.5 mph and 11.9 mph significant.  There are simply too many variables.  Your weight, the type of tires on your bike, elevation gain/loss on the course, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and many other factors will affect the actual number of calories burned.  Best you will ever get is a very rough estimate, so I would accept whatever seems reasonably accurate.  As long as you stick with the same formula each time, you can at least guage your progress.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
There were a LOT of odd factors last night. It was windy. And my tires were underinflated. it was hot. It just seemed odd to me the totally wild difference in numbers. < 10 mph. Well, that could mean 9.5 mph, and it could also mean 2 mph. Seems to me that the govt is lazy. Either they should have not put a "formula" out there that was so innactuate, or, rather, why bother putting numbers like that out there at all.<br><br>
Thanks for replying, though.<br><br>
Jeff

 

[MBannon]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tech Tee</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007386"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br>
There were a LOT of odd factors last night. It was windy. And my tires were underinflated. it was hot. It just seemed odd to me the totally wild difference in numbers. < 10 mph. Well, that could mean 9.5 mph, and it could also mean 2 mph. Seems to me that the govt is lazy. Either they should have not put a "formula" out there that was so innactuate, or, rather, why bother putting numbers like that out there at all.<br><br><br>
 </div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>Well, I'm certainly not defending the government formula, whatever it is.  But the amount of power required to move a bicycle increases exponentially with speed.  Meaning the power difference between 10 mph and 11 mph is much smaller than that required to move from 27 mph up to 28 mph.  So it could just be that they figured anything under 10 mph is not statistically significant enough for their formula to give meaningful results.  And besides, I'm guessing that most folks that ride at an average speed of well below 10 mph (say 5 mph, for example) are not concerned with how many calories they have burned.  If anything, most of them are probably worried about making it to the mini-mart before the last pizza pocket is gone.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(not knocking folks who ride around town, or ride for leisure - just pointing out it is the "exercisizers" who are counting calories, and as a group these folks probably don't ride much slower than 10 mph).</p>
<p> </p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007393" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MBannon</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007393"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a><br><br><br><br><p> </p>
<p>Well, I'm certainly not defending the government formula, whatever it is.  But the amount of power required to move a bicycle increases exponentially with speed.  Meaning the power difference between 10 mph and 11 mph is much smaller than that required to move from 27 mph up to 28 mph.  So it could just be that they figured anything under 10 mph is not statistically significant enough for their formula to give meaningful results.  And besides, I'm guessing that most folks that ride at an average speed of well below 10 mph (say 5 mph, for example) are not concerned with how many calories they have burned.  If anything, most of them are probably worried about making it to the mini-mart before the last pizza pocket is gone.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(not knocking folks who ride around town, or ride for leisure - just pointing out it is the "exercisizers" who are counting calories, and as a group these folks probably don't ride much slower than 10 mph).</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
Tonight's "odd factor" was a thunderstorm. I was drenched when I got home. I can only remember being this wet when I hadn't intended to be once before.<br><br>
Water pooled in the bottom of my backpack. Just where my cell phone was sitting. And my wallet and my brand new mp3 player.<br><br>
Cut my ride short by like 5 miles. And yes, of course it stopped raining the minute I got home. Had I known that, I would have kept going and finished my 15.<br><br>
Can't wait to see what tomorrow night's odd factor is.

 

[Tech Tee]

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007385" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>1Topodope</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007385"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a><br><br><p>In the past I went to several websites and entered my informartion and then took the average.  After doing that for a while I invested in a heart rate monitor with calorie counter.  At this point, this is as accurate as I am going to get considering the calories are based on my age, height, weight and heart rate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck! </p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
I have a HRM, but I got very tired of having to replace the battery all the time. Kinda pissed me off. But, I'm not in a position to be spending money these days.

 

[pcsronbo]

<p>I figure 600/hr when going moderate and 1000/hr when racing.</p>
<p>close 'nuff</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(220lbs, tri bike, usually 15-22mph range)</p>

 

[MBannon]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tech Tee</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007410"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br>
Tonight's "odd factor" was a thunderstorm. I was drenched when I got home. I can only remember being this wet when I hadn't intended to be once before.<br><br>
Water pooled in the bottom of my backpack. Just where my cell phone was sitting. And my wallet and my brand new mp3 player.<br><br>
Cut my ride short by like 5 miles. And yes, of course it stopped raining the minute I got home. Had I known that, I would have kept going and finished my 15.<br><br>
Can't wait to see what tomorrow night's odd factor is.</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
Pro tip:  Those goofy cycling jerseys with the pockets in back are actually very functional.  Put your cell phone and wallet in a zip lock bag (even on dry days, as you will sweat through the shirt) and ditch the backpack.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007502" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MBannon</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007502"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a><br><br><br><br><p><br><br>
Pro tip:  Those goofy cycling jerseys with the pockets in back are actually very functional.  Put your cell phone and wallet in a zip lock bag (even on dry days, as you will sweat through the shirt) and ditch the backpack.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
Thanks for the tip. I like the bag idea, but, I'm not enough of a cycle-er at this point to switch to gear. I have to lose some gut before I can wear one of those things. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br><br><br>
Backpack wise, though, it sure does make me sweat.

 

[pcsronbo]

<p><br><span style="color:#0E774A;"><a href="http://www.aerotechdesigns.com" target="_blank">www.<b>aerotechdesigns</b>.com</a> </span>has large jerseys. I used to wear a 3X but they go up to 6x</p>
<p>even though I wear an L short now (from 3X) I still buy from them</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tech Tee</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74601/calories-burned-cycling#post_2007542"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br>
Thanks for the tip. I like the bag idea, but, I'm not enough of a cycle-er at this point to switch to gear. I have to lose some gut before I can wear one of those things. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif" style="width:1px;height:1px;"><br><br><br><br>
Backpack wise, though, it sure does make me sweat.</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> </p>