Originally Posted by
Northwestrider
IMO an 18+ average for most of a century is blazing fast for most of us. Is there a possibility you pushed a bit too hard on this ride. That would be my guess, but only a guess.
I have ridden that same basic area for 50 miles at 19.2 mph. But the answer still is probably less or no cramping at an easier pace.
OTOH, my LTHR is 157 (per average HR in the last 20 minutes of a max 30 min TT), and I averaged 142 bpm pretty much staying in the range of 140 to 150 (occasionally more and less on some descents, of course). It doesn't sound off the wall to me. I routinely ride harder in pretty much any training session at any length that I do (
other than recovery days). And other than the cramps I was hardly 'out of it' toward the end (but admittedly a bit slower).
But still, there was a problem. I'm guessing that the optimum solution is more long rides and maybe nothing more than more riding. It isn't like I have years of truly hard work behind me here (at least on a bike).
dave