Originally Posted by
surgeonstone
A rough estimate of maximal heart rate is 220-age=194 for you. As you become fitter the rate increases, that is the top rate you can reach while your average rate for a given work load decreases. Each person is unique, to determine your maximal rate go all out until you simply can not go any harder. Do 4 or5 attempts and average the number . Then place a copy of the zone numbers on your bars near the computer. I generally ride zone 4-5 and that is a good work out for me.
TBH, I've never found this rule of thumb useful. Theoretically, 220-52 puts my max heart rate at 168. However, I still train in the 145-165 range for distance with my higher efforts (not even TT effort) up in the 185 range for a decent length of time. I have no idea what my actual max is, but it's in the 200 range. Hence, I would first find max if I was to try setting up my own training zones again, or as mentioned, try to figure out a more accurate way to train using LT.
I'm not exactly riding fit at the moment, either.