Mileage theory

[fikustree]

Have you tried using a Heart Rate Monitor? That makes all the difference for me. You can even see a guesstimate of calories burned.

The "rule" that I learned from running is that you would burn the same amount of calories going for a half hour run as an hour walk.

With more resistance (heavier bike, more hills, harder gears) you will build muscle and adding muscle increases your calorie burning capacity because muscles need fuel to work.

So in the end you could ride all day somewhere flat or you could go for a tough hilly ride at a fast pace and get a better workout because you will burn calories for a while afterwards.

In the end, it is best to do both long slower rides and shorter tough rides because your body will probably respond best to changing things up.

[pooks]

I probably should get a HRM. It just looks like it would drive me crazy, fastened around me like that.

There's no doubt in my mind that I need a new bike. I'm just weighing all sorts of things, and I've gotten mixed messages on the benefits of an easier ride, that's all. It just seems logical that working harder will burn more calories. I won't intentionally be buying a heavy bike, mind you, just to burn more!

[Pedal Wench]

I probably should get a HRM. It just looks like it would drive me crazy, fastened around me like that.

There's no doubt in my mind that I need a new bike. I'm just weighing all sorts of things, and I've gotten mixed messages on the benefits of an easier ride, that's all. It just seems logical that working harder will burn more calories. I won't intentionally be buying a heavy bike, mind you, just to burn more!

As I said, you'll probably use the same amount of energy. If you maintained a speed, say 12 mph on the heavy bike, you are correct - you'll use less calories on the lighter bike to maintain that speed - it will be easier. But, if you're used to a certain amount of effort, the new bike, at that same effort, will go faster. Given the same output of energy, you'll just go faster on the new bike. So, you can burn the same, if not more calories on the new bike, because you'll go faster!

[li10up]

Pooks, this may help. My first bike when returning to bike riding was a mtn bike. I took it out on the road and although a good workout (maybe too tough) I couldn't get far from home and therefore didn't really enjoy the ride that much. I decided to get a road bike. I quickly went from 6 mile rides to 12 miles and then to 20. Within a year I had done my first metric century. I honestly believe the road bike will make riding more enjoyable and therefore you will ride further and longer. You'll get further away from home (or wherever you start) so you will see more interesting things and have more variety in your rides. And we all know that "Variety is the spice of life."

[fikustree]

I didn't mean to imply that you need a HRM- I just found it very eye-opening when I got one. I was either working to hard because I was extremely motivated or not working enough because I am naturally lazy. The make some now that are built into a sports bra!

[IntenseRide]

My first bike when returning to bike riding was a mtn bike. I took it out on the road and although a good workout (maybe too tough) I couldn't get far from home and therefore didn't really enjoy the ride that much. I decided to get a road bike.

I will second this! I have two mountain bikes, one which is a hardtail, that I will ride on the road when I'm desperate before the trails open in the spring, or when they are closed during the year because of rain. I never much enjoyed riding my hardtail on pavement, the tires make too much noise and for as much effort it takes to push knobbies the return of 'joy' just wasn't there. This spring I bought my first road bike ever and the difference was phenomenal. Its MEANT for pavement and the sweetness is just as acute as when I'm on my full suspension riding dirt. This has definitely changed my tune about riding the road, which will equate into speed when I get back on the mountainbike. I have also heard that roadies ride mountain bikes to gain strength for the road.

[SadieKate]

I probably should get a HRM.

You know, lots of people over the eons have managed to get fitter and faster without a HRM. I think I read somewhere that Tom Boonen doesn't use a HRM. To each his own, but somehow I think at this state of your cycling life you just need to find a bike that fits you, makes you happy and you have fun riding.

A friend of mine would have said "buying a Ferrari to squish grapes." Right now, you're squishing grapes. If you decide later that you want to make wine, you'll know whether you need fancy techno-gradgets to do it or if the simple joy of riding and knowlege of your body is enough.