zymphad

Pros sure are in great condition. It's their job to be in top condition.

But for amateurs, I still don't understand why they would be so fat if they are cycling so much. On Youtube I'm watching Cat races and half the people in the races are fat! What's going on? Is Cycling the sport of fatties? The other half, congrats to them, look like badass cyclists like the pros, fit.

Fat thighs, fat calves, fat asses and clearly can see their core is flabby. I thought maybe I could use cycling to get back in shape, but watching these vids, me thinks I should just put my running shoes back on and head to the gym and just use my bike for commuting. If training for races keeps these guys fat... not going to do much for my recreational fitness intent. When I raced running, I didn't see any runner as fat or as flabby as these cyclists.

lsberrios1 

Good question to a certain extent. I was faster when I was 180lbs than now that I am 166. Something tells me having big legs is more important than weighing 120lbs until you get to that pro level and you need to optimize your power to weight ratio. My nutritionist told me that cyclist tend to have more fat % relative to runners and triathletes. Something along the lines of 3-4% for ironmen and 5-6% for pro cyclist. I am shooting for that 6% but dang it's hard!

Seattle Forrest

merlinextraligh

You don't have to support your own body weight cycling. Thus excess weight is not as big a penalty cycling as it is in other sports.

Excess weight obviously hurts climbing, but it's a much smaller penalty on the flats, where power to surface volume is more important than power to weight (and surface volume doesn't increase proportionately with weight.

Hence, fat, but strong, guys like me can win races that don't involve significant climbing.

The other answer, is you can simply eat more calories than you burn.

Lots of recreational cyclists delude themsleves about how many calories they burn. Lots of people don't push themselves very hard on the bike ( their riding is more akin to walking than running) and aren't burning that many calories. Then they eat a lot, justifying by all the calories they burned. Add in gatorade and power bars on the bike, and recovery drinks after, and it's a recipe for staying fat.

Then, there's the beer.

rpenmanparker 

No activity I have ever done, including jogging for a while, makes me as hungry as cycling does. That's reason one. Reason two is muscle loss with aging. Cycling doesn't necessarily build that back. Pros are doing what, a million more miles than me? Calories in, calories out.

Silvercivic27

Yup, you should definitely run and not take up cycling, OP.

asgelle

In God we trust, all others bring data. Otherwise read up on confirmation bias.

DaveWC

I burn about 800 calories per hour when I'm going hard. I can eat 800 calories in 30 seconds if I try.

Pibber

AERO63

Well, generally speaking I'd say a percentage of cyclist are fat because a percentage of people are fat. Seems pretty simple!

zymphad

I wonder if in general, cyclocross racers are in better condition than road cyclists, talking about amateurs, not pros.

I think I will just run 3-4 miles after my rides since I do like riding. And bagillion planks.

lsberrios1 

Diet is 80% of being fit too. It is very possible to ride 200 miles a week and still be overweight. On top of that cycling is very dependent on intensity because unlike running you can coast like a little sissy. I dont think people hammer hard enough.

lsberrios1 

I guess I am starting to see a pattern here. I think is because they generally eat too much popcorn

wphamilton

Good point. But in my case Merilin is right: it's the beer.

Number400

Cycling is an "easy" way to get moving. Many of the Cat5 races are folks who are just starting their journeys into health and fitness. One major issue it that cycling alone is not really that beneficial. Sure, you will lose weight and even get fast but that is about it. Best to mix in other forms of exercise and improve the old eating habits.

I saw a big boy tear up a cat4 race around here. He had an amazing amount of power and energy reserves.

merlinextraligh

And are most cyclists burning 800 calories an hour? That takes an average of 222 watts for the hour. Most people don't ride that hard, particularly for multiple hours.

My bet is most people in the 41 don't have an FTP of much over 222.

pdedes

most amateurs completely overestimate their caloric requirements. basal metabolic rate plus training doesn't allow you unrestricted caloric intake. top level pros are burning about 5000-6000 kCal on a 5hr tdf stage. their food intake is closely monitored. if you get a chance, Feed Zone Portables has a great section on nutritional requirements for cycling.

buffalowings

I'm a fatty..

Also my theory on why cyclists are fat: too little, too late. You can't reverse the work of time.

Also, it's a safe haven for white people (yes, Tour de France..notice how the peleton looks pretty damn white in the sunlight)
it's a sport where throwing $$$($)^$$$ at your bike can compensate for your poor performance (it has to be fast if it looks fast right?)


What else: in other sports, fat people better check themselves before they wreck themselves. (if a fat person ran/jogged was as devoted as they were to cycling, they would be looking at knee replacement surgery faster then the Douglas X-3.

Silvercivic27

Most people in the 41 have no idea what you're talking about let alone what their FTP is.

thenomad

Because Pie.

buffalowings

Truth, why are we talking about introductory networking when we are on a bike forum... SMTP, FTP, GHB,THC, RIP, UDP, TCP

bt

buffalowings

OMG that looks delicious..tbh too much meat, gotta break up the monotony with more bun in between...

Jseis 

Back in the day I rode 4K miles in 60 days and lost maybe 2 pounds at the most and being 5' 10" and 155 (and a soccer playing, running, paddling fool)...I didn't have a lot to lose. I'd bet cyclocross and MTB'ers are lighter than roadies in general. Also, smartphone apps overestimate caloric burn and likely BMR. All things considered, I'll lose weight riding 80+ miles a week, maintain weight at 50 miles a week and gain weight sub 50 miles per week. Keeping an eating journal (aka My Fitness Pal or similar) and logging everything...and running a 200 calorie daily deficit...you'll lose weight. Many older athletes struggle with cycling efficiency and the time commitment because...they are used to running and when you go non-load bearing as noted above...gotta put the hours in! I'm heading for the hills (is it possible BF is contributing to my lazy ass Saturday morning?).

buffalowings

[QUOTE gotta put the hours in! I'm heading for the hills (is it possible BF is contributing to my lazy ass Saturday morning?).

[/QUOTE]



Uhhhhh it's Friday..