I have never been one to use a hr monitor for training but have recently decided to give it a shot and see what happens. So this morning’s ride was the first time I have used the monitor out side the gym. I have this short 9km ride with a 3.5km climb at an avg grade of 17% that I use from time to time to test things out (new gear or bike). Because I let my self get out of shape (my climbing has really suffered) this ride has been taking me, round trip, 35min to complete with an avg speed of 14km/hr and a max of 52km/hr and an avg cadence of 70rpm.

Anyways, this morning I did the ride in 32min, avg speed was 17.5km/hr and a max of 68.4km/hr and an avg cadence of 78rpm. I was really happy with the results but what really got me thinking, I was able to maintain a max hr of 201bpm for 5min and it never felt like I went beyond 155bpm. My avg hr for the most part is always around 126 on this particular climb.

Just thought I would share since the 201bpm really surprised me. Now I just need to figure out me LT since I really did not push it to hard on this last ride.

:beer:

p.s. Do not mind the title, I screwed that up :o

If you can hold your max for 5 minutes you've either got a faulty reading or you're ready for the European peloton.

3.5 km at 17% with an average Hr of 155? That's awesome. What gears are you sportin'?

55/Rad

17%? Are you serious?

34/25 and my avg hr on the climb is 126 not 155. I just used 155 as a reference because that is usually when my lungs (until recently) start to feel it. I used to use a 36/21 but I am now trying the spinning thing rather then being a pure masher.


I would not say that. I am way to out of shape right now. I am planning to try my hand at a few road races next year and dedicate this year to training.

I have always been able to maintain a high hr if I desired to, I just never had a monitor to watch it. I used to check manually and used to be able to maintain it around 185 or so (when I was in shape) for 35min. When I was in shape I was always one of the fastest long distance riders but do to my body type/shape (think large linebacker) it was hard for others to take me seriously until we rode together :D I used to get offers to race for local teams but at the time I had no desire to since football was my main sport and all my time went to that.

:beer:

That would be the avg. not taking the flat spots I get to rest on into consideration :D

Also, since you asked I went back and double checked my math then had the wife confirm (math is one of her specialties), it is actually 13%.

:beer:

You are close to being ready. George Hincapie did a timed 1KM 11% ride. It took him 3 minutes and 3 seconds, which is a tad less than 20KM per hour.

Later,
Richard

no way you could maintain 201 beats/min for 5 mins. it must be a faulty HR monitor.

If you can do 5 minutes at 201 and your monitor is correct, you're a freak of nature. No doubt we'll be seeing you in the pro peloton in the next 2-3 years.

3.5 km at 13% with an average HR of 126 and 17.5 kmh? Wow, I feel fat, slow and way out of shape.

55/Rad

How do you know your hr was 126 in the past if this is the first time using hrm on this ride?

Yeah huh? I think there are legal limits to grades when building roads. I haven't found anything higher than 12%

I think you need to check your hrm for accuracy and your speedo for correct wheel measurement.

Hahahaha. that avg speed (17.5) was round trip for the entire 9 and some change kms as I said in my O.P.;) Not the climbing alone. I do know that my speed fluctuated between 9 and 12km/hr on the climb though. As I stated, this was a short ride. I do not think I could have done as well if I did my usual 52km ride first :D



I used to take my hr manually because I always wanted to know where it was at and I usually got anywhere from 122 to 131bpm. Since after to days ride my monitor said AVG HR 126, I used that number. :p


As to weather or not my mr monitor is working, I will find out in 10 days when I get my cardiometobolic testing done. I too do not think is was there for 5 min but I shall find out for sure. I just thought it cool that it showed for 5 min :D

:beer:

this screams bad HR reading but.... I opened this thread thinking you had a different kind of high.

9 kph up a 13% grade is a climbing rate of 3840 ft/hr. Very respectable climbing rate, congratulations.

12 kph up a 13% grade is a climbing rate of 5118 ft/hr. Hard for a mere mortal to sustain that rate. That's Euro Pro speed. I suspect you were on a slightly easier grade when you saw 12 kph. You really need to know your average speed for the climb.

I did a similar little climb called China Grade today, near the Big Basin Redwoods Park. The steep bit is about 1.25 miles (2 km) long at an average of 11%, and I averaged 7 mph (11.1 kph). I dropped down to 5.4 mph (8.7 kph) on the really steep bit, and I sped up to 10.6 mph (17 kph) on the easier bit.

With the undulations that always exist on climbs, the only useful way to measure performance is by looking at average climbing rate from bottom to top. In my example above, my climbing rate was 4066 ft/hr, and my average heart rate was 155 (85% of max., or the upper limit of my "tempo" pace). That's a solid improvement over last week, so I'm pleased. Especially since the Everest Challenge is a mere 49 days away. Yikes!

If you want to find your threshold, you'll need a climb that takes about 20 minutes to complete (ignore the time to ride downhill), and you'll need to to it twice. Pop on over to the Training and Nutrition Forum and check out the 2 x 20 Anaerobic Threshold Test. That'll do the trick.

I'd like to hear about this cardiometabolic testing you are ging to do. either you are full of $hit, or you are so awesome we can only think you are full of it, to protect our own egos.