With those numbers compared to my max HR of 185 and LTHR of 175, your numbers sound like a "zone 2-3" (based on Friel's LTHR zones) ride. For me, that's the ride I do in for my long rides at the not-killing-myself pace, probably riding with someone else where we can talk on the flats and easily recover after a climb.

I noticed a serious decline in "demotivation" on my hard workouts when I stopped really worrying about speed while I was riding. I still chart the speed when I'm done, but I only use it while relating it to the avg HR/RPE for the ride. If my avg speed is low that day, but so is my avg HR - who cares? Cadence and HR are the bread and butter of my "training rides" now - and after having the HRM for a few months and getting more and more comfortable knowing my comfort cadence, I can usually "feel" if I'm in the groove or not for my goals for that ride.

VW