Originally Posted by
Maelochs
I can do 35-40 miles on an empty stomach, but when I run dry, it Really sucks ... I question the weight-loss benefits because I am pretty certainly not exercising the next day.
I would imagine, as @
noimagination suggests, that a rider who could do a fasting century could ride it better with a little food ... but that leads one to the discussion of the meaning of "better." if the goal is to go far on nothing, you are achieving the goal.
On these fasted rides I can average 18.5 to 20 mph climbing over 5,600 ft elevation, burning over 6,000 cals. Some might think you are cycling without energy, but you are using ketones from your own fat stores for calories. Granted, if you have low fat on you this can be dangerous, but I have plenty of fat to burn.