I've been getting back to fitness after about 3 years off the bike. Due to the poor weather I have been mainly cycling indoors for the past few months using a heart rate monitor to follow a training plan.
On the few occasions recently that I actually got out on the bike I noticed a very interesting difference in heart rates and perceived exertion. Indoors, my zone 3 training is a HR of 148-161 and I feel that I am excerting myself - I sweat; I breathe harder and feel my legs working. Outdoors I was spinning at a comfortable speed/cadence along a flat route with my HR at around 155-170 but didn't feel the effects of this heart rate that I would feel indoors. The only time I felt real exertion was climbing a hill on the way home with a HR in the 180+ region.
Any thoughts on why I am seeing/feeling a difference? Could the adrenaline of just being outside account for the higher heart rate? A different position on the outdoor bike compared to the stationary? Temperature difference?
Mark
The BikeForums Team
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When you are outside you have a much higher airflow that keeps your body cooler. You also get to coast now and then when riding outside (unless you ride a fixed gear bike).
my58vw
I never thought of that outside vs inside. For myself my zone 2 is around 146 - 153, zone 3 is 154 - 163 (without looking at a chart). About 155 I can start feeling it in my quads but my breathing is normal. I have to get to 165 + to start really feeling like I am going anarobic before 173 - 175 (my LTHR) where I go full anarobic. Outside the times I have taken it my HR is indeed higher than inside on the bike outdoor. The funny thing is that you do not relize it until I go anarobic on a hill and my HR shoots up past 175.
RedHairedScot
Not sure whether this is the same thing, but my HR is higher on the bike for what I feel is the same effort spent running. I agree, it's probably a cooling thing. For a while I ditched the HRM for my bike because it became a fun alarm -- if I started having fun (getting into a big hill, gaining a boost of speed) my top-end alarm went off.
BaadDawg
I am exactly the same way. I got so freaked out at the high HR's outdoors I went and got checked out big time in terms of stress tests (including nuclear stress test). End result in my case was no restrictions, go till you drop if that's what I want to do.
I also ditched the HR monitor and have not missed it one bit. Indoors in spinning classes I am always in the zones if I follow the instructor and outdoors I feel much better not knowing or worrying about it. Plus I have the reassurance of knowing that I have no medical reason to worry.
My max HR is very high so my zones are super high as well.
My 2cents
lukylukecyclist
[QUOTE=Moo]Hey all,
I've been getting back to fitness after about 3 years off the bike. Due to the poor weather I have been mainly cycling indoors for the past few months using a heart rate monitor to follow a training plan.
On the few occasions recently that I actually got out on the bike I noticed a very interesting difference in heart rates and perceived exertion. Indoors, my zone 3 training is a HR of 148-161 and I feel that I am excerting myself - I sweat; I breathe harder and feel my legs working. Outdoors I was spinning at a comfortable speed/cadence along a flat route with my HR at around 155-170 but didn't feel the effects of this heart rate that I would feel indoors. The only time I felt real exertion was climbing a hill on the way home with a HR in the 180+ region.
Any thoughts on why I am seeing/feeling a difference? Could the adrenaline of just being outside account for the higher heart rate? A different position on the outdoor bike compared to the stationary? Temperature difference
It sounds as if you had much more less motivation while you ride on rollers. In fact, due to the heat, it is easier to mantain higher heart rates inside than outside.
Another important point is that you shouldn't guide yourserlf by the amount of sweat you produce. Although you produce masses of sweat in rollers, it doesn't neccesary imply that you are making a great effor.
The reason why you found it harder inside coud have been caused by other reasons such as fatigue, less motivation, the hour of the day, the diet you made the previous day, etc.
I would suggest doing rollers in the same previous circumstances than you have when your are going to ride outside.
Tell me what you think and we can find the solution to your problem.
Greetings from Spain;
Lukylukecyclist