C_Heath

Ok, Just rollled in off a second weeks vacation. One of my riding buddies was at the beach with me this time. We rode 2 days, the first, 25 the second 30 miles. Id never asked him his HR status because he was such more more faster then me everywhere.

Finally, Ive picked up some speed and lost around 35+ pounds.

We are equal when it comes to Heart rates. If Im spinning swift in the flats, Im 155 and so is he, when my monitor rose to 175 he was 176. Coasting after a good, hard sprint, we were within 3 BPM.

SO, we drafted a WOrk van for 1 mile at 31 MPH (were at the beach with a tailwind mind you all) the van pulled off, he gimme "the look" so I knew was about to transpire.

I looked at my monitor, it read 180 so Id assume he was close to it. My legs and lungs were toast. I could continue for a little bit more but I was spent. He come out of the saddle and didnt get back in it until he was out of site. He must have stood and mashed for 5 solid minutes.

I was dropped like a rock and had to shift and easy spin. It took me 10 minutes to catch him. He did it on purpose because its normal and its a man thing.

My question is, I was at 180 and was DONE. I had nothing left and was force to rest and regain my composure at around 160, then I could start back at it hard.

He stood at or around 180 and absolutely killed me for another mile. He later told me he sat down at 195 BPM. Hes 29 Im 33, hes 160 Im 175, hes in great shape, been riding for 5 years, Im in ok shape, been on the bike 2 years.

Endurance? LT? DO I need to work myself harder above 180? I dont want to blow myself into oblivion just yet. My MHR suposed to be 187, Ive seen 192 and was not seeing stars.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
C

sch

Give it another year and if still 'chubby' get your weight closer to your companion's and see how it goes.
Sounds like his LT is higher, or he is just that much better athlete. Interval training might make a difference.
Steve

kuan

It might be that his LT is higher, but what's your personal LT? If I were you I would have two goals. First find your LT. Second, plan your workouts around one or two really really hard sessions per week. One session around LT, the second session above LT. You're just guessing if you can't figure out your LT.

C_Heath

true, he works out hard 2 days per week. I just ride my 25 loop about 2 times per week. I ride around 16 mph, he works it at 17.5

mcpowley

Forgive me for this but what exactly is LT?

C_Heath

https://www.drlenkravitz.com/Articles...threshold.html

ericgu

His LT is likely a little higher, and he buffers the lactic acid better around that rate.

That means at a given HR, he is hurting less, and he can handle riding at that HR longer.

It also wouldn't surprise me if his aerobic training is better. That means he's still aerobic when you're going anaerobic.

C_Heath

Great answers everyone, so, should I work on intervals, sprints, all the above? Im cool with it when Im riding solo but it really sucks to get popped like that and theres not a dam thing you can do but grab the water and soft spin.

Sucks

C_Heath

thanks, yes, I rarely get above 185. he has hit 207 before.

Tom Stormcrowe

He's just in better shape than you right now. This isn't a bad thing, it gives you a goal!

Kathy_Green

The primary question that you need to ask yourself if how you were "spent." Were you winded? Did your legs give out? Maybe both? Your answer will dictate the type of training you will want to focus on. As most people suggested your friend probably has a higher lactate level that he is able to work at. In addition, he has a larger aerobic base due to cycling for a longer period of time. If this is the case you will need to work on both.