Where does this 70 to 90 rpm grbage come from?

For your riding you are doing exactly perfect. Don't change a thing.

For people that ride centuries or 40 miles a day non-stop and for people that want to maximize fat burning, keeping track of the rpm is the way to go and that is about the right range although I use a bit different range.

It comes from real world experience of many riders. Higher cadences are more energy efficient and help improve endurance for most riders. The lower resistance of the lower gears required to maintain those higher cadences also makes them easier on the knees, given equal speed.

I ride at least 16 miles per day right now (basic commute round trip) but usually more like 30-40 with at least one 50+ day a week with lots of climbing. Do you think you can hang with me?

I don't really care how you ride. Some people do fairly well with lower cadences. Most people find that after they practice higher cadences for a while they get both speed and endurance benefits. People with knee problems usually find that the higher cadences help the knees too.

The smoother your pedal stroke, the higher your optimal cadence will be. The blockier it is, the lower your optimal cadence will be. Do you mash the pedals or you try to maintain pressure all the way around the stroke? It makes a difference.

Well, in a certain sense, I got it from my doctor, after needing a steroid injection and three months off the bike so the cartilage in my knees could recover from "mashing". A side benefit is the fact that a high cadence makes my muscles tired, rather than sore, and I can recover from "tired" in a matter of minutes, and get back on the bike to keep going all day.

(Speaking of "all day", I'm not sure what you're trying to get at with "at least 10 miles".)

But I would not dream of telling you you're doing it wrong, any more, I'm sure, than you would tell me I'm doing it wrong. Nor do I have the "grit" to stay with you. A good rule of thumb is, if you care enough about cycling to use clipless pedals, you can drop me. But that's OK. I have no more interest in staying with you than I do in staying with "the pack".

Ride the way you want 12-14 mph is not very fast you would be left in the dust by any average rider. Why worry about calories burned at colder temperatures. The human body is more efficient at 70-90 rpm. Above that you are taxing you heart and lung more. Below that you have to mash on the pedals and deplete your legs.

Your right, for the short distances you ride and relatively short amont of time you're in the saddle (much less than an hour) your overall pedaling efficiency just doesn't matter much. Do what makes you happy.

Pedaling efficiency only matters if you actually want to ride far and fast, it doesn't have anything to do with riding in a pack. That's a completely different skill.

gene

It makes NO difference to an of us how YOU choose to ride. But it is not garbage. It,has to do with energy management, time/distance/speed, efficiency, and muscle issues. I could ride 10 miles in a very high gear, and be very fast. But the damage over the years could damage my knees. Also, I may not be able to maintain that speed for longer distances. Equate it to a car.... You want to drive around in 4th gear all of the time? Nor would you drive around in 1st either. The best way to drive is to maximize the rpms with out red lining, and then upshift or downshift as needed.

So if it isn't working for you that's o.k.. But, it works just fine for millions of us.

Soccerref

People who don't want to learn how to do things better are unteachable. Doesn't matter that doing things in a different way will make them more efficient and allow them to enjoy what they are doing more. Pedaling your bike at 70 to 90 rpm is more efficient, but you will never find out because you are too stubborn to give it a try. Your loss

Ride Gene.

Maintaining the proper cadence is no more garbage than you puffing your chest is.

Go do your 10 miles, have fun. Ride -- that's the important part. Do it your way.

Let us advise new riders on the proper cadence to go ALL day if they want.