I used to console myself with the larger scale number by reminding myself that i ride over 100 miles a week and that it's "just muscle". Even so, i didnt like the way i looked in photos and felt that i should look...smaller. After paying closer attention to my eating habits, i realized that i was consuming a lot more calories than i needed but justified them by telling myself that they were "burned off" on the bike. For example, i would eat 2 packets of oatmeal before a 30 mile ride, a Cliff bar during, and a big lunch following (to "refuel"). I was so afraid of bonking or not fueling properly afterward that i actually went too far in the other direction, and gained around 6 pounds over a year. Now i'm more careful not to overestimate my caloric needs and I'm seeing the number on the scale go DOWN even as my legs are getting stronger.