Cycling on gravel

daisyelaine
daisyelaine Posts: 480 Member
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I have started to do a lot more cycling ( which I LOVE) but as I'm riding on almost all gravel roads, with a mountain bike, am curious about what levels to put in for my calories burned info on here. According to my cyclometer, I'm usually going about 15-19 km/hr ( 10-12 mph) but it's significantly more effort required to go on gravel, so it's usually not "leisurely" at that point. Also, I often have kids in the bike trailer ( which can add an extra 60+ lbs behind me), so that changes things too. Any suggestions of what I should be inputting? I don't want to overestimate my burn either...

And yes, I know that I really just need to get a HRM.. I'm just not there yet!

Thanks a bunch!

Replies

  • kvr414
    kvr414 Posts: 111
    I know you said you don't have a HRM, but that's really the only way you're going to be able to determine an accurate calorie count. But in the mean time to be safe, maybe input the calorie count in the database for 10-12mph (they overestimate anyway) and then be sure to eat those calories back, that could be a good solution...even though it is not accurate.
  • evilbanks
    evilbanks Posts: 166
    Hey----I was reading your post and was going to suggest a heart rate monitor until I got to the end and you made the suggestion yourself. If you are doing a lot of riding, I'd suggest getting a Garmin Edge 305 GPS device. This unit keeps track of everything, including calories burned, total ascent, mileage, heart rate, altitude, mph etc.....Garmin has a great website where you download and view your data. Here is an example of one of my rides, (you'll have to copy and paste it into your browser): http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92131894 Anyway, hope this helps out some. Good luck and happy pedaling.
  • calimari
    calimari Posts: 202 Member
    I cycle as well & I'm thrilled that the calories seem to go only according to speed (10-12 mph/leisurely). When I do the bike trail, that works fine. But this weekend we rode in the neighborhoods - and they are hilly. It is murder going up some of those hills and, yes, you do get a nice glide on the downhill, but it can be something like a solid minute of slogging it uphill for a 5 second glide down. The speed overall might still be 10-12 mph, but it is NOT leisurely like the bike trail is...
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