The Sixth Day

No

Your rate of glycogen vs fat utilization is a function of intensity. The only way intentionally going into a workout glycogen depleted burns more fat is if it forces you to ride at a lower intensity but you're planning to ride L2 regardless.

There are some interesting studies related to mitochondrial growth in response to more intense training with partially depleted glycogen stores, but that's a different story and IMO not worth the hassle or risk.

Bottom line, weight loss is calories in vs. calories out and it doesn't matter what kind of calories those originally were as long as you get enough of each kind to satisfy fueling, muscle rebuilding and other basic nutritional needs. If you don't overeat before, during or after your L2 ride and burn more calories than you consume over the full day then you'll burn fat. You don't need to pre-deplete glycogen to make that happen.

Also remember that it can take 48 or more hours to replenish glycogen stores and it's not unusual to be a bit low by the end of a 5 day weekly training block. So you're probably already a bit low going into day 6. Intentionally restrict carbs and you might have trouble getting back on track during your only rest day and then it starts all over again.

-Dave

Or for the old school pithy proverb approach:
"Fat burns in a carbo fire..."

daveryanwyoming said:

No

Your rate of glycogen vs fat utilization is a function of intensity. The only way intentionally going into a workout glycogen depleted burns more fat is if it forces you to ride at a lower intensity but you're planning to ride L2 regardless.

There are some interesting studies related to mitochondrial growth in response to more intense training with partially depleted glycogen stores, but that's a different story and IMO not worth the hassle or risk.

Bottom line, weight loss is calories in vs. calories out and it doesn't matter what kind of calories those originally were as long as you get enough of each kind to satisfy fueling, muscle rebuilding and other basic nutritional needs. If you don't overeat before, during or after your L2 ride and burn more calories than you consume over the full day then you'll burn fat. You don't need to pre-deplete glycogen to make that happen.

Also remember that it can take 48 or more hours to replenish glycogen stores and it's not unusual to be a bit low by the end of a 5 day weekly training block. So you're probably already a bit low going into day 6. Intentionally restrict carbs and you might have trouble getting back on track during your only rest day and then it starts all over again.

-Dave

Or for the old school pithy proverb approach:
"Fat burns in a carbo fire..."

Excellent reply. This almost should be a sticky!

frost said:

Excellent reply. This almost should be a sticky!

Absolutely agree