Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clyde specific training question

I'm 340 right now, been cycling pretty consistently for about 8 months and have made significant progress. I have a fitness/training question.

In my weightlifting and cardio training at the gym (non-cycling), I have been using interval training to improve my cardiovascular fitness and lose weight. So now, on the bike trainer, when I ride sustained at a cadence of about 85, I get very winded but my heart rate stays around 130. I'm 43 years old, so my training range is about 125-150. I want to pedal harder and faster to build more speed, and my moderate heart rate says I should be able to do so, but my breathing and wind just won't allow it. When I'm lifting or on the elliptical, I have no trouble getting my heart rate to 150-155. I assume that because these are weight-bearing, it's increasing my heart rate more quickly.

Is there a way to train to improve this? Should I be using intervals on the bike? Am I over-analyzing?

You can easily do intervals on the bike, rollers or trainer and it does help. You can also change gears and work on cadence. I like my rollers better than a trainer, but that is my personal opinion. Try shifting to make yourself work harder and then after getting to the desired heart rate for your desired time, change your gearing and keep spinning at 85+ on your cadence. Your heart rate will drop and then you can bring it back. I also will do hard for 5 miles, then stretch, then push-ups, then hard 5 miles, repeat.... Do things to change it up.

Congrats for establishing a good routine.

Could it possibly be that you aren't breathing well in the seated cycling posture ? Big abdomens, tight clothes, and a lot of pounds on the chest can restrict how much air you're getting.

Could it possibly be that you aren't breathing well in the seated cycling posture ? Big abdomens, tight clothes, and a lot of pounds on the chest can restrict how much air you're getting.

Thanks for the reply guys. I do think this is part of the problem, but I also think it's a fitness issue. I'm trying to improve both of those. Weight loss will come gradually, but I'm also wondering what I can do to improve my "wind".

Sound like your legs just aren't up to speed (no pun intended). But I am perplexed that your HR doesn't increase. If you try harder, it should respond. In any event...

Force the issue: make yourself pedal faster, if only for a minute or two. Then, next time, force yourself for 3 or 4 minutes. You can do it. These would be "intervals".

Pedal faster than your goal, i.e.: If you want to maintain 100rpm, train at 105--110rpm for that brief minute or so. Then, sustaining 100 will be easier.

I'm certainly no training expert, but had a similar issue. For me it just took time for my lungs to catch up. Intervals, steady rides, whatever, just keep at it and your breathing will improve. Make sure you're not just gasping though - try to take deep even breaths to keep from hyperventilating.

If you feel like spending some money though, you could get a VO2 test - find out where your thresholds really are.