Calorie expenditure

UCI_Aylwin said:

[font=Arial]Hey everyone, I use a Polar CS200 on my bike. From what I read everywhere, the calorie expenditure for the computer OVERestimates the actual amount of calories really burned during a ride. However, I did a 82 mile ride today with an average speed of 19.7mph. I completed this ride in 2 loops around my area, so it had an equal amount of headwind and tailwind. Now, according to my HRM I only burned 2300 calories during this ride. I am 5'5" and 125 pounds ( I know I'm light) but I still think the numbers were pretty low. Other sources like calorie-count, fitday show around 2600-2800 calories burned. Which one should I trust?? [/font]

I wouldn't take either too seriously. Maybe pick a number in between and follow that, if you're starving then obviously you've burnt more than you think.

UCI_Aylwin said:

[font=Arial]Hey everyone, I use a Polar CS200 on my bike. From what I read everywhere, the calorie expenditure for the computer OVERestimates the actual amount of calories really burned during a ride. However, I did a 82 mile ride today with an average speed of 19.7mph. I completed this ride in 2 loops around my area, so it had an equal amount of headwind and tailwind. Now, according to my HRM I only burned 2300 calories during this ride. I am 5'5" and 125 pounds ( I know I'm light) but I still think the numbers were pretty low. Other sources like calorie-count, fitday show around 2600-2800 calories burned. Which one should I trust?? [/font]

2300 Kcal expended in 4hrs and 10-mins (your ride time) equals an average power of ~ 150 W. Given that i'm bigger than you (1.75m and ~70 kg) and could ride that speed solo, for the same power, i'm *guessing* that 2300 Kcal is possibly on the high side for you. You'd only really know if your rode round with a gas analyser on your back or want to ball-park energy expenditure with a power meter.

Ric