I think the 220-age is bogus too and I'm just an average joe, not some elite athlete. I've ridden off and on over the years but nothing to the extent many here have. But last year when I decided to get in shape I quickly realized my max HR was way higher than the 157 the formula works out to be. When I started out power hiking up hill I was usually in the 172-174 range by the top of the hill. As I worked myself into shape just hitting the upper 160's was difficult even hiking up some pretty steep hills. Switching over to a bike a couple of months ago I can and do easily hit the upper 160's again while climbing but haven't broken into the 170's yet. Although I'm sure if I were trying to chase down someone ahead of me it would probably be pretty easy to do.