Originally Posted by Hermes

With respect to heart rate measurement, the rate of drop is the most important metric. I have posted numerous times that riders when training should check the time it takes for the heart to drop below 120 which is in general active recovery for most. If one is riding at 140 heart rate and stops, the heart rate should drop from its current level to below 120 within 2 minutes and preferably faster. I used this gage to check progress and to not overtrain. And if I did too much too soon, the amount of recovery time was significantly increased. IMO, when most people start or return to cycling, it will take months for the heart to adapt to the increased training and the rate of heart rate drop will be poor. It was for me.