Calories burned by cycling

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mwtopley
mwtopley Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi guys

I just rode the bike to work, took 30 mins and I was going 25kph (15mph). MapMyRide and therefore MyFitnessPal says I burned 701 calories which I don't believe would be correct - probably less than half that I reckon.

I weigh in at a magnificent 100kgs or 220lbs which is relevant, can anyone shed any light on the real situation please?

Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    edited May 2016
    What kind of bike were you riding?

    It takes a cyclist your weight about 100 watts to go 15 mph on flat ground, on a 20 pound road bike with no wind, your hands on the hoods, and clincher tires. You'd have to average 138 watts for an hour to burn about 500 kilo-Calories. Given the info you've provided, 175 kCal is probably closer to the truth if it's a road bike, more on a MTB.

    http://bikecalculator.com/

    On flat ground, weight isn't terribly relevant, air resistance is the main thing slowing you down. Up hill, it's a hugely important.
  • kcjchang
    kcjchang Posts: 709 Member
    It seems high to me. That's approximately the calorie burnt for an hour ride on my trainer based on virtual power at average of 15 mph. Try plugging your stats on bikecalculator.com and see if it matches. To be on the safe side, set your efficiency higher, e.g. 27% verses 25% where your posted calories = calories estimated x 25/27. After getting my power meter, I'm finding my trainer's virtual power is roughly 5% on the high side. Only checked a few times on the bikecalculator and was fairly close to the virtual power. Good luck.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 26,343 Member
    I use this formula:

    100 cal for every 5 km.

    (In the old imperial system, that works out to 100 cal/3 miles or approx. 33 cal/mile.)


    So if you rode for 30 minutes at a speed of 25 km/h, that's approx. 13 km? Or maybe about 250 cal.
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