dleccord

Did base miles for the last 3 weeks around 16 mph. Went and did some group riding today and my heart rate was redlining at 20mph pace. Is this normal?

Carbonfiberboy 

Yes. I call it an "easy revving heart." Hard workouts in the past few days slow the heart at the same watts output. Easy workouts let it rev up. The question to ask yourself is, "Did I do as well with the group after doing this base as I did before sticking to base training for 3 weeks." That question is about watts, not HR. If yes, you done good. If no, you need to mix in some high end work with the base. I always try to get at least an hour of z4-sweetspot per week of base.

This is a big reason that people get power meters.

dleccord

I was able to keep up with the group, I did a big share of pulling as well. It could be my imagination but when my heart rate for 190+ bpm, it wasn't as painful as it used to be in terms of giving up or letting off speed. I could have kept going harder. I guess I need to mix in a little intensity to keep the heart familiar with higher speed. I can hold 20mph sub 170bpm, so doing the same speed at 20bpm higher is shocking.

What's high end to you in terms of HR Zones (during base/winter season)?

Thanks for your replies.

Carbonfiberboy 

Well, I'm 69 and have been riding for a long time. My standing HR is ~60. LT is 144-148, depending on work load. Usually closer to the lower number. Sometimes I see 155, but very seldom over that. MHR might be 160+, but I don't know. Strict Z2 top is 118. Z3 probably stops ~136-7. On a usual group ride, I'll have 2' Z1, 30' Z2, an hour Z4, and the rest Z3.

achoo

And now you know why a lot of people here keep mentioning "recovery time".

You rode when you were fresh, and killed it.