I know about logging miles under my belt but never paid attention to my progress. I've been cycling for a year now and just pretty much been riding all over the place, no focus on anything nor direction. Even with a heart rate monitor I never used it wisely. I ride either alone or with my brother and he likes climbs and he's got more miles/experience under his belt, sometimes I get caught up in his pace which always ending with me hitting the wall. People on here will say miles, miles, ride, ride. Yes I will continue doing that, but I also like to have a structured training regiment like for example, 1 ride, do 5x20second sprints. Next ride, do this etc. I also would like to know about training on the right heart rate zones, how hard to train during a ride to make it effective yet not dangerous, how do I increase my FTP? which book is a good read for training? I'm not trying to be a pro cycling or anything, I just like training with some thought put into it like how I used to when I was lifting weights. Right now I'm at 165 lbs 5'8 1/2, 26 years old. I'm only looking at using my HRM for this training, no power meter yet! Max heart rate I've clocked with my garmin was 208 BPM. Sorry if my wording is confusing!