Calorie expenditure calculations?

[SadieKate]

If the Garmin uses the same GPS base maps as most popular mapping software (and I don't know this for certain but do believe it to be so), it is overestimating the amount of climbing you're doing by 20-25%. The issue is this: following roads on a landform reduces the amount of climbing you do because when we build roads we cut and fill to even things out, but the terrain to the sides of the roads remains the same (and that's what's measured on the base maps that a GPS system uses).
For most of us, we can count on using between 200 and 300 calories per 1000' climbed (lower amounts for lightweights, higher amounts for Athenas). So if you go on a 2-hour ride and your Garmin says that you climbed 5000', it is inherently overestimating your energy expenditure by around 250 kcal.

As MP says, it depends on which Garmin you use and whether it has a barometric altimeter. See here for more discussion on elevation correction.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=garmin

It would be interesting to know if Wolfgang of SportTracks does after-import correction of calorie count. I dunnoh. I don't care. I probably should, but my pea brain only has space for so much.

[SadieKate]

The Kreuzotter site appears to be down but still accessible from the archive. It's way cool.

http://web.archive.org/web/200504080...ish/espeed.htm

[michelem]

SadieKate posted this link a couple years ago: http://www.active.com/story.cfm?STOR...ry%5Fchallenge

I find I do well with approximately 100 calories per hour, running or cycling. More than that and I get digestive troubles.

Everyone is different, but for me, when running I don't take anything in (calories or water) for anything less than an hour, or 8 miles. I take in a Hammer Gel and approx. 10-12 oz. of water for every hour over an hour, in approximately 20 minute feeds. I like to carry the gel and water separately so that I can quit taking in calories if my tummy starts feeling upset.

For cycing, I use Perpetuem (for some reason, I do really well with it cycling, but it give me the runs when running!). For a 4-5 hour hilly ride I'll mix two 24 oz. bottles with 1-2 scoops Perpetuem in each. If it's really hot I'll refill one of the bottles with plain water and drink some or all of that as well.

Like others have said, experiment and see what works for you.