Use This Cycling Calorie Counter to Estimate How Many You Burned on a Ride
The article introduces a cycling calorie calculator that helps riders estimate energy expenditure based on factors like weight, speed, and terrain. It explains basic calorie concepts, basal metabolic rate (BMR) averages of 1,800 kcal for women and 2,400 kcal for men, and the additional calories needed for training and recovery. It stresses balanced nutrition over strict calorie restriction, citing research that low‑fat diets can cut metabolic rate by about 300 kcal per day. Finally, it advises cyclists to adopt sustainable eating habits rather than obsess over every calorie.
The Overlooked Cycling Problem That Drains Power and Causes Pain—And How to Fix It
Cyclists often overlook posture fatigue, where weakened upper‑back and core stabilizers force the shoulders upward, shallow breathing, and an inefficient pedal stroke. As these muscles tire, the trapezius overcompensates, creating neck strain and reduced leg power. The problem is compounded...
A Short, Daily Bike Ride Is Good for Your Health and Your Weight
A short daily bike ride—30 to 45 minutes—triggers metabolic changes that keep fat‑burning enzymes active for up to 30 hours, raising basal metabolic rate and supporting steady weight loss. Regular cycling also cuts heart disease risk, with as little as...
A Cycling Coach Says You’re Probably Not Eating Enough. Here’s the Fueling Strategy That Works.
Cycling coach Marissa Axell warns that many riders over 40 underfuel, compromising performance and health. She cites a 50‑plus athlete who won her age group at the 2025 TransRockies Gravel Royale by prioritizing a structured fueling plan. The article outlines...
Better Rides, Easy Navigation, Clear Data: Our Editors’ 8 Best-Tested GPS Bike Computers
Bike computers have become essential upgrades for cyclists, offering dedicated GPS, performance metrics, and secure mounting compared with smartphones. Bicycling’s editors tested dozens of models and identified top picks, including the Hammerhead Karoo for navigation, Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V3 for...
You Don’t Have to Ride Every Day to Lose Weight. This Approach Is So Much Simpler.
Hearst’s Enthusiast & Wellness Group launched a new Cycling for Weight Loss program aimed at beginners seeking sustainable weight‑loss through consistent riding. The six‑week plan starts with 1‑3 weekly sessions of 40 minutes and introduces Zone 2 rides of 30‑45 minutes...
6 Transformative Benefits of Bike Riding
Daily bike riding delivers a blend of environmental, health, and productivity gains. A 20‑minute commute can satisfy the Physical Activity Guidelines, cut carbon emissions, and lower oil use, while research links cycling to reduced cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mortality risk....
The Fitness Blind Spot That Catches Cyclists After 50
Older cyclists often mistake high mileage for complete fitness, overlooking the strength and bone‑density gaps that riding alone creates. After age 50, the body’s ability to retain muscle mass and skeletal load diminishes, making strength deficits more apparent in climbs,...
How to Gradually Increase Your Cycling Distance as a New Rider
Cycling coaches stress that new riders should increase mileage and intensity by no more than 10‑15% each week to prevent overuse injuries and overtraining. Beginners start with 30‑minute rides three to four times weekly, then add minutes or harder intervals...
This Guide to Types of Bike Rides Helps You Choose the Best Discipline for You
The guide breaks down eight cycling disciplines—from pure‑speed time trials to extreme downhill mountain biking—highlighting each style’s appeal, challenges, and training tips. Pro riders Alexey Vermeulen, Ellen Noble and others share practical advice on positioning, pacing, gear selection, and race...
What Is an Ideal Weight for Health? It’s Complicated.
David Allar’s journey from 448 lb to under 200 lb illustrates how personal health can improve dramatically through diet, cycling, and consistent exercise, even though his final BMI still classifies him as overweight. Recent research shows that BMI alone is a poor...
Gas Prices Are Rising: Our Editors’ 13 Top-Tested Commuter Bikes for 2026
Rising gasoline prices are prompting more Americans to consider bike commuting, and Bicycling’s editors have tested dozens of models to identify the best options for 2026. Their top picks span e‑bikes, hybrids, cargo bikes and folding designs, with the Aventon...
Stronger Legs, Stronger Core, Stronger Ride: The Dumbbell Workout Every Cyclist Needs
The article presents a targeted dumbbell workout designed for cyclists seeking more power, stability, and injury resistance. It outlines a full‑body routine that emphasizes core, glutes, upper back, chest, and shoulders, using only dumbbells and a bench. Each exercise is...
This Cyclist Rides to Empower Others—And for Her Own Self-Care
Licensed behavior specialist Iresha Picot has lost 130 pounds over six years by cycling three times weekly, reversing type‑2 diabetes. She founded the Black Girl Joy Bike Ride, a bi‑weekly community that offers rides, maintenance workshops, and bike‑equity initiatives, providing...
Prioritizing Cycling Led to a New Way of Life and a 275-Pound Weight Loss
Ryan Grewell, a 37‑year‑old chief innovation officer from Ohio, shed roughly 275 lb over three years by making cycling his primary fitness regimen. Starting with short neighborhood loops, he progressed to riding at least five days a week, covering 25 mi per...
Cycling for Weight Loss: GLP-1s
GLP‑1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic are increasingly used for weight loss, but they can blunt hunger and thirst signals, making proper fueling critical for cyclists. Bicycling’s guide, hosted by Ryan Grewell and nutritionist Namrita Brooke, outlines how to combine...
We Test Dozens of Gravel Bikes Each Year—These 12 Are the Ones Our Editors Keep Recommending
Interest in gravel riding has surged, prompting manufacturers to launch hundreds of new gravel bike models. Bicycling’s editors tested dozens and identified twelve standouts, with Canyon’s Grizl CF 6 crowned Best Overall and Trek’s Checkpoint ALR highlighted for value and upgrade flexibility....
Want to Ride Stronger for Longer? Start With Zone 4
Zone 4, also known as threshold training, asks cyclists to ride at 91‑105% of FTP for sustained intervals, building the ability to maintain high power without fading. The article outlines a typical weekly structure—one 20‑60 minute Zone 4 session split into 10‑30 minute blocks...
The Over-50 Cycling Problem Nobody Wants to Admit: You’re Underfueling
The Bicycling editors highlight a pervasive issue among cyclists over 50: chronic underfueling. Dietitian and coach Namrita Brooke explains that many senior riders skimp on carbohydrates, protein, and electrolytes, leading to slower recovery and diminished performance. The article recommends at...
This 10 Minute Shoulder Mobility Routine Will Save Your Posture on the Bike
Cyclists face chronic shoulder tightness from prolonged forward‑leaning positions, which can impair breathing, performance, and everyday comfort. Trainer Natascha Grief proposes a ten‑minute, equipment‑free shoulder mobility routine that can be slotted into daily pockets of time, such as waiting for...
This HIIT for Beginners Guide Explains Why You Need the Challenge and How To Do It
High‑intensity interval training (HIIT) is gaining traction as a time‑efficient way to boost cardiovascular fitness, mental health, and longevity, with research showing measurable gains in VO₂ max within four weeks. For cyclists, HIIT sharpens both anaerobic power for sprints and aerobic...
As a Trainer, I Swear by Strength Training. This Year, Go All In on Kettlebells.
Cyclists are increasingly adding kettlebell training to boost power, stability and durability on the bike. The article explains how kettlebell drills engage the hips, core and posterior chain in a way that mirrors pedal dynamics, while also delivering cardiovascular and...
I’m a Level 2 Spin Instructor—These Are My Favorite Cadence Drills
Level‑2 Spin instructor Natascha explains why cadence training is a cornerstone of cycling performance. By deliberately varying RPMs while holding resistance steady, riders develop a smoother pedal stroke, better power transfer, and improved body awareness. The article outlines two structured...
How Cyclists Can Find Free Speed Without Buying a New Bike
Trevor Raab outlines a menu of cost‑effective upgrades that let cyclists boost speed without purchasing a new bike. The guide groups the upgrades into aerodynamics, rolling resistance, drivetrain friction and, for climbers, weight, highlighting the biggest gains from a proper...
Push-Pull Workouts for 360-Degrees of Strength
Physical therapists are urging cyclists to adopt a push‑pull strength‑training model that targets both the anterior muscles used for pushing and the posterior chain used for pulling. The Chain Reaction Strength Revolution program outlines four dedicated workouts—upper‑body push, lower‑body push,...
10 Common Mistakes People Make When Cycling for Weight Loss—And How to Avoid Them
Cyclists aiming to lose weight often sabotage progress by underfueling, over‑relying on extra mileage, repeating identical workouts, setting rigid weight timelines, and neglecting strength training and overall wellness. Experts advise fueling adequately before rides, focusing on daily activity (NEAT), varying...
Road, Endurance, Gravel, Mountain: Our Editors’ Top Canyon Bikes to Buy Right Now
Canyon Bicycles has become a top‑selling U.S. bike brand by selling high‑performance road, gravel, mountain and e‑bikes directly through its website, shaving $1,000‑$3,000 off comparable models. The company’s lineup, praised by pros such as Mathieu van der Poel and Kasia Niewiadoma, has...
Push-Ups Can Be One of the Best Strength Moves for Cyclists With Back Pain (If You Do Them Right)
Push‑ups, when performed with proper alignment, are one of the most effective strength moves for cyclists suffering from back pain. The exercise builds upper‑body, core, and postural strength that translates into a more stable, efficient riding position. Correct hand placement,...
How to Ride Strong Over 50: Expert Tips for Cyclists in Their 50s, 60s, and Beyond
Bicycling’s "How to Ride Strong at 50+" program compiles advice from nine seasoned cyclists, coaches, and dietitians on staying fit, injury‑free, and motivated beyond age fifty. The article shares real‑world stories—from a 74‑year‑old logging 400 hours on Strava to a stroke...
Kettlebells vs Dumbbells: Which Is Better for Your Strength Workouts?
The guide compares kettlebells and dumbbells, highlighting how load distribution, technique familiarity, and ballistic movement potential differ between the two. Kettlebells place mass below the grip, creating shifting torque that challenges the core and enables fluid, cardio‑intensive flows, while dumbbells...
Cycling Metrics Guide: What to Measure for Better Rides
The article outlines ten essential cycling metrics—from speed and distance to power and heart‑rate variability—helping riders quantify performance and guide training. It emphasizes starting with basic data, then layering more sophisticated measures as experience grows. The guide explains how each...
If Your Neck Is Tight After a Ride (or Sitting at a Desk), You Need to Try This
Long rides and aerodynamic positions keep cyclists’ necks in constant tension, leading to stiffness and lingering aches. A simple three‑minute stretch using two yoga blocks—called the neck reset—supports the base of the skull and gently releases the suboccipital muscles. The...
Can Bicycling Help You Become a SuperAger?
A 2024 Journal of Neuroscience study links superior white‑matter microstructure to the remarkable memory of SuperAgers—people 80+ whose cognition rivals that of those in their 50s. Researchers interviewed cyclists aged 80‑90 who exemplify this group, noting their mobility, social connections,...
To Build Climbing Speed and Endurance, Our Fitness Expert Recommends These 3 Heart-Rate Zone Workouts
Using heart‑rate zones gives cyclists a data‑driven framework to boost climbing speed and endurance. The article outlines three zone‑based drills—a Power‑Building Ladder, Strength‑Building Surges, and a Threshold/Recovery interval—each targeting specific energy systems. It advises a warm‑up in Zone 1, 1‑2 weekly...
“I Want to Stay Competitive in My Own Way.” At 68, Bicycling Member Jeff Goshen Brings that Mindset to His...
Jeff Goshen, a 68‑year‑old lifelong cyclist, returned to competition at this year’s Sea Otter Classic by entering the e‑MTB race. After heart‑valve surgery and a pacemaker implant, he logged about 75 miles a week, using an electric bike as a...
Every Rider Needs These 6 Long-Distance Cycling Tips
Veteran cyclist Alex Stieda shares six practical tips for conquering long‑distance rides, emphasizing cadence, nutrition, pacing, wind strategy, preparedness, and on‑bike comfort. He advises cyclists to maintain a 90 rpm cadence, hydrate hourly, eat every 15 minutes, and break rides into...
Everything a Great All-Terrain E-Bike Should Have
The Aventon Aventure 3 is a fat‑tire e‑bike built for true off‑road adventures, featuring 80 mm front fork and seatpost suspension, 4‑inch wide tires, and a 750 W hub‑drive motor that can travel up to 65 miles on a single charge. Its geometry...
Zwift Can Leading to Huge Performance Breakthroughs if You Use These Powerful Tips
Zwift, once a niche indoor cycling platform, is now framed as a performance‑enhancing mindset tool. Coach David Lipscomb argues that indoor training isn’t about boredom but about cultivating Form, Technique, and Position (FTP) to unlock power beyond what power meters...
The Bicycling Show About Bicycling: Is Cycling the Best Way to Lose Weight? The Honest Answer
The Bicycling Show examines whether cycling is the optimal path to weight loss, concluding that the activity works best when woven into a sustainable lifestyle rather than treated as a singular, intense regimen. The episode highlights the shift from outdated,...
How to Strength Train Like a Cyclist
Strength training designed to mirror a cyclist’s riding position is gaining traction as a performance booster. Trainers Jacques Devore and Karen Duff outline a 7‑move circuit that targets power, core stability, and upper‑body strength using only dumbbells or a kettlebell....
You’re Not Alone If You’ve Wondered: Do Aero Bikes Actually Make You Faster? Here’s the Truth.
The 2025 Tour de France showcased a decisive swing toward aerodynamic bikes, underscoring that drag reduction now outweighs pure weight savings for overall speed. While lightweight frames still excel on steep climbs, the data shows aero designs deliver faster times...
Over 50? Intervals Can Help You Feel Fast Again
Cyclists over 50 often lose the explosive "punch" needed for sudden surges, even though their endurance remains solid. Research shows anaerobic power declines faster than aerobic capacity, but targeted interval training can reverse that trend. One to two high‑intensity interval...
Lower Back Pain After Riding? Try These 7 Fixes
Cyclists frequently experience lower‑back pain, often traced to bike fit, weak core muscles, and hip imbalances, according to Dr. Matthew Silvis of Penn State Hershey Medical Group. Adjusting stem length, saddle position, and handlebar height can eliminate excessive stretch and...
Over 50? Here’s How to Decide If an E-Bike Is Right for You
The article examines whether seasoned cyclists over 50 should adopt e‑bikes, weighing recovery benefits, pain mitigation, and social inclusion against the risk of reduced training stimulus. Experts agree that age‑related slower recovery and consistency challenges make pedal‑assist appealing, especially for...
Is Cycling Really Good Cardio? The Data Reveals It’s Better Than You Think.
The Bicycling Show’s latest episode confirms that cycling provides cardio benefits on par with running and swimming, while delivering a lower‑impact workout for joints. Experts explain how sustained riding improves VO2 max, lung capacity, and heart‑rate variability, making it an...
Want to Crush Steep Climbs? Rowing Might Be the Missing Link in Your Cycling Training.
Rowing machines are emerging as a powerful cross‑training tool for cyclists aiming to improve climbing performance. The article outlines how the full‑body, low‑impact nature of rowing strengthens core, legs, and back while boosting aerobic capacity. It provides a specific interval...
Will a New Road Bike Make You Faster?
The article examines whether a new road bike automatically makes a rider faster, noting that while modern frames deliver marginal aerodynamic and component improvements, the gains are often measured in single‑digit watts. Tests of Trek’s Madone line show a $13,500...
Tight Hips After Riding? This Compression Wrap Was Made for Cyclists Like Us
The Hyperice Normatec Elite Hips is a $599 portable air‑compression wrap designed for cyclists’ tight hips, glutes, IT bands, and lower back. Weighing 3.4 lb with up to four hours of battery life, it offers seven pressure levels, Bluetooth control, and...
Best Power Meters of 2026: 7 Ride-Tested Favorites for Road, Gravel, and MTB
Bicycling’s test team evaluated dozens of power meters and highlighted three stand‑outs for 2026: the Favero Assioma Pro RS‑2 pedal, Garmin Rally 210 pedal, and SRAM Force E1 AXS spider. The Favero unit combines dual‑sided measurement, lightweight construction and a lower price point,...
The Bicycling Show About Bicycling: Ascend Any Climb Easier With These Expert Tips
The Bicycling Show released an episode where editors Tara, Tom, and Trevor break down expert climbing strategies for cyclists. They emphasize that increasing power is the most effective way to tackle uphill sections and recommend using GPS data to pace...