The SAID Principle dictates that the body Specifically Adapts to Demands Imposed upon it
The body does not generally adapt to stress. Your lungs are just bags and your "legs" (actually your CNS) are adapting to cycling...
I have endurance and ultra endurance athletes taking creatine monohydrate all year long.
Cramping is a matter of insufficient water intake.
I'm a 200# Male. I drink around 4-5 liters a day to avoid cramping
When I'm in the mountains I drink another 3-6 liters on top of that
1-2lbs a week is excellent progress. The faster you lose the more likely you are to lose lean mass and keep body fat.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/301648-why-is-losing-weight-too-fast-bad/
Since fat loss is calories in/calories out it might be more to your benefit to use a macros app like My Fitness Pal or Fit Genie to account for your calories?
It doesn't matter where your calories come from if you don't eat in a caloric deficit.
The Tabata Protocol is a very specific form of training designed to be done a stationary bike.
The Tabata Protocol Workout requires the following:
• 5 minutes of warm-up
• 8 intervals of 20 seconds all-out intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest
• 2 minutes cool-down
The original...
For basic strength training I usually recommend one of the Wendler's programs
https://www.amazon.com/Simplest-Effective-Training-Increase-Strength/dp/0557248299/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=lift_net-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=0557248299
His "Ain't Doing Jack Shit" program is a 2x a week...