Originally Posted by NachoLibre (Post 14264368)

Keep in mind that my only basis of comparison is myself and my wife who is 3 years younger than me. Her numbers seem to be inline with mine for max heart rate. I also know that max heart rates vary from person to person, but I am far from an expert. Using myself as an example, I road 20 miles recently both ways and exerted myself pretty hard the entire time. My max heart rate was 185 and my average was 164. The other day I ran 5k (I rarely run), and I wanted to beat my best time, and my max was 193 with an average of 169 which is probably pretty close to peak output for me. BTW, I am 38, with a similar build.

I hope my comments aren't taken in a negative way. I am not trying to directly compare or anything like that, or diminish how happy you should be. I have been riding all my life, but only started riding regularly again this year. In some ways there seemed to be some similarities between us, and I thought I would share my experience. In fact I started out the year around the same 13.7 average speed, and it seems that our current average speed is pretty close. The 20 mile ride I mentioned earlier was with an average speed of 17.1mph. I guess part of me wonders if you would have been closer to 17mph also if you got your heart rate up a little higher which I suppose is the primary reason why I posted in the first place.

Oh yeah, in regard to finding your max heart rate, there are some calculations you can do to figure out your max, but those generalize a lot and are said to be inaccurate. The best way is to be tested by a professional. I figure that 193 is probably pretty close to mine. I have never gone higher than that intentionally or unintentionally, and I would probably puke or black out if I went much higher.

Anyhow, congrats again on a very nice personal best, and good luck on your quest to get faster.

Originally Posted by dissident (Post 14264409)

Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.

Originally Posted by NachoLibre (Post 14266737)

Maybe it's only easier sucking air when you are in good condition because you get more reward for the effort. Aside from that I think suffering is suffering regardless of what physical condition you are in.