Ex - Understood. My coach also noted that HR can increase due to dehydration or increased core temperature at that point (3:45 into the ride). You're right in that I need to loosen my hold on those numbers as an absolute indicator; at that point cardiac drift would definitely have been a factor. Had I gone with how my body felt, I would've stayed on. That's a big part of what I learned.
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Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!