Big differencials in the calorie count?

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BenScoobert

Senior Member
Location
Halifax
I've tried endomondo and strava, for the same ride one says 702 calories, the other 1237.

Now I know it's not precise, but that is a big difference.
Would it help if I get a bluetooth haert rate monitor and cadence sensor hooked up?

I'm also towing 55kg of trailer with the kids in, I'm 109kg in all my glory, any estimates at how much more energy that uses?
 

Banjo

Fuelled with Jelly Babies
Location
South Wales
On the flat not a lot but must be double the energy used on hills.

I think all the calories burned things are wildly innacurate.there are so many factors that arent allowed for.
 

jarlrmai

Veteran
Add your total (rider and bike) weight/age in Strava, get a HR monitor. It may get a bit more accurate.

Only true way to know is to get power meter.
 

vickster

Squire
30-40 per mile is a decent conservative estimate, given your weight, ignore the nonsense from gadgets. This comes up a lot in the health and training section

And does it matter? Untimately if weight loss is your aim, eat less. If it's cycling fitness, ride more
 

BrynCP

Über Member
Location
Hull
Strava seems the most conservative and the one I use as a guide and I have lost, not gained weight!

As above though, I usually assume about 35 calories for a intensive ride (18+mph average or 16+mph with hills).
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
And does it matter? Untimately if weight loss is your aim, eat less. If it's cycling fitness, ride more
And if tracking progress is the aim - weigh yourself! :okay:
 

BrynCP

Über Member
Location
Hull
https://www.endomondo.com/users/243766/workouts/555190243
https://www.strava.com/activities/339799435
Same ride, same stats input, not accounting for the 55kg trailer, I bleive endomondo a lot more, strava says 251 calories, endomondo 2218, just me the way I've sweat and bled today, I feel like I burnt 10,000 calories.
My weight is nicely dropping, 115.2kg to 108.4kg, I just like to see stats.
Strava says 1173?

I think its just important not to over compensate, i.e. if you believe you burned 2218 calories so put an additional 2218 you could rapidly gain weight; as you say though you're not, so all is good.
 
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BenScoobert

BenScoobert

Senior Member
Location
Halifax
I was reading strava energy output in kj, ooops. Still 1173, half endomondo. Screw it I'm shattered, shower and bed, 5am alarm for me.
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
My weight is nicely dropping, 115.2kg to 108.4kg, I just like to see stats.
Congratulations on the weight loss! :bravo:

As to the calorie stats ... those sites are just guessing, so you might as well guess a figure of your own! :whistle:

I found out a long time ago that I lose about 1.0 lb on a 100 mile ride and 1.25 lbs on a 200 km/125 mile ride, equivalent to a net calorie loss of about 35 cals/mile. Given that I eat and drink a lot on long rides, I am quite confident that I burn about 45-50 cals/mile.

PS Come along on one of my local(ish) forum rides some time! :okay:
 
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BenScoobert

BenScoobert

Senior Member
Location
Halifax
Congratulations on the weight loss! :bravo:

As to the calorie stats ... those sites are just guessing, so you might as well guess a figure of your own! :whistle:

I found out a long time ago that I lose about 1.0 lb on a 100 mile ride and 1.25 lbs on a 200 km/125 mile ride, equivalent to a net calorie loss of about 35 cals/mile. Given that I eat and drink a lot on long rides, I am quite confident that I burn about 45-50 cals/mile.

PS Come along on one of my local(ish) forum rides some time! :okay:

Thanks for the offer but with the trailer on I'm doing 6-7mph average and nobody else wants to do that, for us it is a family thing, all 4 of us go. Also I work shifts so we tend to go when everyone is at work.
 
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