There is something about a bike ride that just feels good for the mind, body, and soul. It may even make you feel like a kid again as the wind blows against your face on the downhill. You decide whether you want to ride hard or just take a leisurely glide enjoying the sights as you pass them. 

Biking is a low-impact form of exercise that doesn’t put unnecessary strain on you yet it can still get you moving, get your blood pumping, and burn some calories. But just how many calories does biking burn? Let’s talk about it. 

How Many Calories Does Biking Burn?

To determine how many calories biking burns, there are a few different factors you need to consider – including your weight, how far you biked, the speed, and the timeframe. But on average, you can burn a minimum of 200 calories for a 30-minute bike ride. 

Here is a better example. If you are bicycling outside at a moderate pace for 30 minutes and you are 125lbs, you would burn about 240 calories. However, if you are 185lbs, you’d burn 355 calories. 

A more leisurely bike ride would tend to burn less whereas a more challenging ride would burn more. There are many calculators and fitness apps that will help you determine the specific number of calories burned based on your specific situation. 

Benefits of Biking

Biking is a versatile form of physical activity that people of different fitness levels can partake in. It goes easy on the joints and gives you control over how intense you want to bike. Of course, it comes with a long list of health benefits, too, including: 

• Increases cardiovascular health
• Improves coordination
• Increases flexibility
• Helps to build endurance
• Improves joint health and mobility 
• Increases balance
• Builds strength
• Gives you muscle tone

Biking is also very good for your mental health. It elevates moods, relaxes the mind, minimizes stress and anxiety, and leads to a greater sense of happiness. Not to mention that it just makes you feel good.

And do you know what else biking does? You guessed it – it burns calories. 

Outdoor vs. Indoor Biking

Many people find a lot of success with indoor cycling. And, for good reason, because it does yield quite a few health benefits. Plus, it is convenient because you don’t have to go anywhere to do it and you don’t have to deal with unfavorable weather. 

Despite all of the positives that come with indoor cycling, outdoor biking tends to be a favorite. This is likely because you can get the same sort of workout and the same health benefits, but you get to fly through the wind and enjoy all the different scenery at every turn. 

The endorphins that get released when biking outdoors cannot be matched with indoor cycling. It is a positive experience and, when coupled with a great scenic ride, you can expect great results. 

Burn Calories on a Maui Bike Tour

Mountain Riders offers you an incredible opportunity to burn some calories and have an excursion with outdoor bike riding. Haleakala Bike Tours is the perfect mixture of adventure, health, and fun. 

Ready to book the longest Haleakala downhill bike ride? Book now.