coachrains

I have been riding for a couple of months, I bought one of those high tech gauges for speed and distance, I was also wanting to check my heartrate and rpm? Got all, but my rpm's, it didn't have that on it.
Here is question, I need some info in regard to my heart rate? What is good? normal? where should my goals be? As of right now, I rode 30 miles the other day (new personal best) mostly flat, average 14mph, heartrate between 125 and 135 most of time, my maximum heartrate was 163 a couple of weeks ago until I busted a hill standing up last week and jumped it to 183. My heartrate at present time just sitting here is around 65. How can I use this information to become a better cycler and get in better shape. Any help? Thanks

umd

There is no "good" or "bad" hr number, everyone is different. Some people run fast hr and some people run slower. All that matters is your hr as a % of your lactate or anaerobic hr. Some people will talk about % of max hr, but that's less important and harder to determine your max. The whole 220-age thing is misunderstood and cannot be used to determine your max hr.

leinad

Get Salley Edwards, heart rate book for cyclists. should be able to find it at the library or online cheap. It will explain it all!

coachrains

So I figure that my Max is 174- 176, so what does it mean when I hit 184....slow down you are going to have a heart attack?

KevinF

It means that your max heart rate isn't 176.

camhabib

I personally put little stock into "max hr" and the such. As UMD was saying, every person is different. Depending on your level of fitness, present condition, previous actives, environment, etc, hr can vary widely, not only among people, but even among days with the same person. The best thing you can do is instead of relying on some number on a screen, is to go by how you feel. If you're veins are pulsing and your heart feels like it's about to jump out of your chest, regardless of what your "hr" is, it's time to slow down. If you feel like you can go a little harder, then go. The body has a remarkable way of letting you know when it's reaching it's limit.

That said, the number can be useful in certain circumstance. If it's reading some astronomical number, such as 250bpm, regardless of how you feel, a normal heart should not be beating that quickly. Likewise if it read out something like 10bpm. Just be aware of your condition at all time and try to make an informed decision using ALL the tools you have available to you.

Pugsly

+1. By definition, it is not possible to exceed your maximum!

Enthalpic

In the absence of real symptoms (dizziness, pain, etc) you can be sure extreme readings (e.g. 250, 10bpm) are BS. Don't freak out; take your pulse at your wrist if it comforts you.

coachrains

LOL...That is what I was thinking, either that or my monitor slid down on my gut and I had a gaseous episode Thanks for info, I agree, I think if I listen to my body, and push as I have just like I have with running, playing etc. I still do not consider myself to be in great shape, but I am getting better.

I did have heart cath last fall, Doc said it look just fine, no issues. That was 45lbs ago, so I should be in safe area. I guess I am just trying to find, a good rate on that digital display to work off of.

umd

It means you figured wrong.

deepakvrao

https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/43102-2x20-anaerobic-threshold-test.html