Originally Posted by
nafun
I think you should adjust your training zones. Although the consensus seems to be that max heart rate never increases, your ability to achieve your max heart rate can increase. Since it is very difficult to actually get to your real max heart rate, as you gain fitness you will be able to get closer to it.
It just takes some time and effort in a controlled environment. This isn't ideal but it will get you to max.
Start with a 10 minute warmup at the base of a long gradual hill. Go up the hill in a moderate gear seated and at a good cadence for a minute. Then shift to the next higher gear and keep the cadence the same again for a minute. Each minute go to another gear. At the point where go can't keep the cadence any longer, shift again. When you are really struggling, shift once more, stand up, and spint all out for 20 seconds.