How do you measure bike riding?

kam502
kam502 Posts: 27 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I am very new to exercise, having 2 knees replaced in the last year with the most recent one just being done June 28. However, I am getting stronger and have gone on a bike ride the last 3 mornings. I am logging the bike riding as time spent riding and pace on MFP. I was just wondering, other than mapping it out with my car, is there a way like a pedometer to tally distance ridden? Or is it better to measure time ridden. Thanks in advance for any answers.

Replies

  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    how do you get your bike to move, mine stays in one place no matter how hard i petal :wink:
  • jtgilfoy
    jtgilfoy Posts: 25 Member
    Any old basic bike computer will do what you are asking. Less than $20 at any bike store :)
  • THuffman1967
    THuffman1967 Posts: 114 Member
    There is an iPhone app called MapMyRun that uses GPS to measure the length of your route. I have used it for running, but it can also be used for biking. There are probably lots of GPS options.
  • seehe
    seehe Posts: 946 Member
    I use a heart rate monitor so I can measure accurately what calories I burned according to that . there are some online sites where you can plug in your numbers and amount of time along with your age and weight and it calculates it for you. Be careful to realize there is a difference between gross calories burned and net calories. here are some interesting sites about that:
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/resting-metabolic-rate-calculator.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/articles/net-versus-gross-calorie-burn.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    You can use Map My Run online as well. You can go in and plot out the path that you took and it will tell you how many miles it is. You don't even have to log in or be a member to do so.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Strada, mapmyrun, endomondo, runkeeper - take your pick ofir your smartphone. Or buy a bespoke device like a bike computer, or more expensive options like a gps watch.

    Be aware that even with accurate mileage, mfp will only give a rough estimate of your burn though.
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    I use a Garmin.
  • Cmonnowguys
    Cmonnowguys Posts: 361 Member
    I use the free Strava app. It uses the GPS on your phone to track your distance, elevation, avg mph, top speed, etc. I love it!

    When I log it on MPF I just create my own exercise that says - Biked X amount of miles for X amount of minutes.
  • tikafly
    tikafly Posts: 184 Member
    I also use the MapMyRun app for bicycling, walking, and running.
  • heytherestephy
    heytherestephy Posts: 356 Member
    I use mapmyride for both running and cycling. I use te calorie burn that program gives me because it takes into account how fast I am going and the elevation and is a bit more accurate than MFP.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    $5 basic bike computer at walmart will work... or you can use mapping software to measure your route.
  • MustangGirl05
    MustangGirl05 Posts: 17
    I use a heart rate monitor so I can measure accurately what calories I burned according to that . there are some online sites where you can plug in your numbers and amount of time along with your age and weight and it calculates it for you. Be careful to realize there is a difference between gross calories burned and net calories. here are some interesting sites about that:
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/resting-metabolic-rate-calculator.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/articles/net-versus-gross-calorie-burn.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx

    I do the exact same thing but I also use the app on my Android phone, MapmyRide to calculate the distance. I use the heart monitor in my everyday workouts so I just added the app to my phone to get the complete total. My heart monitor was $35 on Amazon & I love it!!
  • ssteinbring677
    ssteinbring677 Posts: 158 Member
    You could map it on mapmyrun.com...it's technically for running but I've played with the site and it is definitely bike friendly!
  • RaeN81
    RaeN81 Posts: 534 Member
    Heart rate monitor with GPS=freedom to go wherever you please and know how far and how hard you were riding.
  • davidep21
    davidep21 Posts: 52 Member
    free app called ALLSPORT GPS...there are lots of apps out there
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
    Do you have an Android or Iphone? I use Endomondo. You could use a bike computer. You could use Google maps. I use Endomondo to measure distance and an HRM to measure calories burned.
  • Happylady123
    Happylady123 Posts: 166 Member
    Hi! I use a Garmin 405 watch that has GPS on it. I have the device on my bike from Garmin that measures everything with the watch... distance, heart rate, speed, elevation, how many times you pedal, etc. I love it!
  • kam502
    kam502 Posts: 27 Member
    Thank you,

    You all sound so knowledgeable without making me feel dumb for asking such a simplistic question. I have been walking with a cane the last 2 years and was in a lot of pain before that but now I am really determined to put that behind me and become strong! I recently got an IPhone, I think that actually prompted y question. Being such a neophyte I wasn't sure if your feet actually had to hit the ground for those measurement type apps. to work. I don't mind logging it into MFP as time and pace, I just would actually like to see the distance grow as a motivating factor. Again, thanks to all!
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    No, they're all gps based, not pedometers, so work for all sorts of 'moving about outside' activity.

    Best of luck. Sounds like you're emerging from real tough times, with the determination to succeed.
  • SweetCheekszx0
    SweetCheekszx0 Posts: 478 Member
    I use a heart rate monitor so I can measure accurately what calories I burned according to that . there are some online sites where you can plug in your numbers and amount of time along with your age and weight and it calculates it for you. Be careful to realize there is a difference between gross calories burned and net calories. here are some interesting sites about that:
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/resting-metabolic-rate-calculator.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/articles/net-versus-gross-calorie-burn.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx

    I've been wondering about this nines answered me... What's the difference between gross and net calories
  • seehe
    seehe Posts: 946 Member
    I use a heart rate monitor so I can measure accurately what calories I burned according to that . there are some online sites where you can plug in your numbers and amount of time along with your age and weight and it calculates it for you. Be careful to realize there is a difference between gross calories burned and net calories. here are some interesting sites about that:
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/resting-metabolic-rate-calculator.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/articles/net-versus-gross-calorie-burn.aspx
    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx

    I've been wondering about this nines answered me... What's the difference between gross and net calories

    To quote one of the sites I listed:
    Gross calorie burn is the absolute total amount of calories burned while performing any given activity. It includes the calories that your body burned specifically to perform the activity itself, plus the additional calories burned throughout the duration of the physical activity that your body must continually burn at all times to digest food, keep tissues alive, and support the function of vital organs. The extra calories burned in addition to those required for physical activity are collectively known as your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), and they represent the calories that your body would have burned anyway, even if you had just been relaxing on the couch and not performing any physical activity. Try our Resting Metabolic Rate Calculator to find out what your resting metabolic rate is.
    Net Calorie Burn
    Now that you know what gross calorie burn is, net calorie burn is easily understood. Net calorie burn, for any given physical activity, is the amount of calories burned only to perform the physical activity, and no more. As opposed to gross calorie burn, net calorie burn does not include calories burned to support your RMR.

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