You ride because you love it. Not only does riding have immense health benefits for your mind, but it is also a great way to burn calories. A lot of calories. What may baffle you is that if you burn so many calories when you ride and you ride fairly regularly, why does it not seem to make you skinny over time, or worse as the months go by you still gain weight? That’s because there is a catch!
The weight that you lose after a long ride is not only fat weight. All those calories you burn up may also be coming from muscle break-down. Added to the fact that dehydration will make you feel temporarily slimmer and lighter. Don’t be fooled by this. Rather hold your horses before you give yourself permission to indulge in calorie dense food thinking you have earned it.