I just turned 50 yesterday. You're right that the general formula is 220 minus your age. That's why I found the 200+ reading so disconcerting. I can tell that I'm improving, though I haven't tried to take that hill without the electric bike recently but I'm hoping to do the commute with my Trek 7200 (non-motorized) about once a month and see how it feels and what the HRM says.
This summer, I commuted three to four times a week by parking my car six miles from work and riding the rest of the way. Since I teach a 7:45 a.m. class two days a week and tutor until 8 p.m. the other two nights, I've decided to do a one-way commute where I'll drive to work, ride home, ride back, drive home and repeat. When it cools off, I hope I'll also be doing a weekend ride with my husband. I hoped we could ride today but the heat index is still 104 degrees at 6:35 p.m.
I appreciate your suggestions and you've given me some things to think about as I learn more about this. Thanks!
