Originally Posted by
Ultraslide
You'll need to calculate your maximum heart rate and lactate threshold for training with an HRM to be useful.
Even then there are varying methods for determination and types of zones.
Check it out:
http://www.cptips.com/hrmntr.htm
This.
If your goal is just to ride for fun, you are probably fine.
If your goal is to be faster you probably need to do the field test and find out your LTHR and HRmax and train off of these, intervals are your friend (although they will feel like the enemy).
So it really depends on your goals. But the "someone" you quote (from OP) is wrong.
ps stop talking about average speed, it gives us a headache