The website Bike for All cites a British Heart Foundation study stating that cycling at least 20 miles per week can cut your risk for heart disease in half. Also, cycling is a great way to get a cardiovascular workout and to burn calories. The number of calories burned during any activity, including bike riding, depends mainly on your weight 1.

Leisurely Bike Ride

A bike ride at a pace of less than 10 mph is considered to be leisurely. For example, someone who weighs 155 lbs. will burn approximately 280 calories during a leisurely 1-hour ride, while someone who weighs 205 lbs. will burn around 370 calories.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking can be fairly strenuous. A person weighing 155 lbs. will burn around 600 calories during a 1-hour mountain bike ride, while someone weighing 205 lbs. will burn around 790 calories.

Cycling at a Moderate Pace

A moderate biking pace is 12 to 14 mph. During a moderately paced ride, a person weighing 155 lbs. will burn about 565 calories, while a person weighing 205 lbs. will burn around 745 calories.

Cycling at a Vigorous Pace

A 14-to-16 mph pace is considered to be a vigorous bike ride. A person weighing 155 lbs. will burn around 705 calories, while someone weighing 205 lbs. will burn about 930 calories.

Race-Speed Cycling

Traveling over 16 mph is considered either very fast riding or racing speed. Someone who weighs 155 lbs. will burn between 845 and 1,125 calories, while a person weighing 205 lbs. will burn between 1,120 and 1,490 calories.