What are the best cycling workouts for weight loss?



Wow, what a shocker - people are pedaling for hours and not losing weight. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that they're probably eating an entire pizza by themselves after each ride. 🍕 Newsflash: if you're not watching your diet, no amount of cycling will magically make the pounds disappear.
 
This has nothing to do with my issue with SRM cadence readings. I'm trying to get help with my MTB Professional, not discuss weight loss strategies. Can someone please focus on the topic at hand? I've got a Powertap device that I'm wondering if it's compatible with SRM, and I'd love some actual advice on how to fix my cadence readings with three chainrings. Let's keep the discussion on topic and avoid these random tangents.
 
The age-old conundrum: how to trade in flab for fab on two wheels! 🚴‍♂️ It's indeed puzzling that with all the data-driven training methods out there, many cyclists still find themselves stuck in a Spin-class-induced plateau. Here's the thing: it's not just about logging hours on the bike, folks! A well-structured cycling workout for weight loss should be all about intensity, not just endurance. Think HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) – short, brutal bursts of effort followed by active recovery. This type of workout not only torches calories during the exercise itself but also kicks your metabolism into after-burn mode, ensuring you're still shedding fat long after you've racked your bike. So, ditch the "pedal-forever" approach and get ready to sweat! 💦 Anyone who tells you otherwise is just spinning their wheels (pun intended).
 
What about the recovery phase after intense cycling workouts? So many cyclists overlook how crucial it is to let your body bounce back, yet that’s where real progress happens. How do you balance hard rides with recovery to avoid burnout while still losing weight? What strategies have you found effective for optimizing recovery without losing momentum?
 
So, you're saying that with all the fancy sports science and training methods out there, we still don't know how to design a cycling workout that actually helps with weight loss? That's quite a statement. I'm not convinced that it's all that complicated. Can't we just get back to basics and focus on putting in the hard miles and watching what we eat? I mean, I've seen plenty of cyclists who just ride at a moderate pace for hours on end, but still manage to stay lean and mean. Maybe it's not just about the workout, but about overall lifestyle choices?
 
So, you think just logging miles is the magic ticket? Seems like a lot of riders are missing the boat. What's the deal with those who just cruise for hours yet stay lean? Is it really just lifestyle choices? Or are they onto something with their approach to intensity and recovery? I'm dying to know how they balance it all. What's their secret sauce?