• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

How Can I Find My LT Without a Lab Test?

Question: I’m 50 and my max heart rate is 170. I want to determine my lactate threshold so I can train at that level, but I’d rather not spend money for a lab test. Is there a simple way to determine LT? I want to ride well in the district 40K time trial. — Samuel G.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies: Lactate threshold (LT) is the highest heart rate that can be sustained before panting and pain force you to back off.

Generally, a fit rider’s LT is about 90% of max heart rate. In your case, around 153 bpm. The best way to find it — without a lab tech drawing blood from your fingertip while you pedal to exhaustion on an ergometer — is to do a 60-minute time trial. Your average heart rate for the hour should be very close to your lab-determined LT.

Remember, though, that heart rate is a poor indicator of how much power you’re generating. It’s better to learn to “read” your body so you know when you’re at the red line — the pace you can sustain for the duration of a time trial, but just barely.

Honing your perceived exertion in this way takes time and concentration, but once you learn, you won’t be tied to pre-determined (and perhaps faulty) estimates of how hard you can go.

I have written an eArticle called Equations for Cyclists that can provide a number of useful measurements, including intensity, wattage, and more, without the need for a lab test or power meter.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1053
  • Can you use Shimano rotors with SRAM brakes? (Or vice versa?)
  • 16 Tips for Increasing Your Annual Cycling Mileage
  • Intense Exercisers Have More Plaques but Fewer Heart Attacks

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1053

Newsletter Issue No. 1052

Newsletter Issue No. 1051

Newsletter Issue No. 1050

Newsletter Issue No. 1049

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in