• 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 Do I Know if I’m Doing My Best?

QUESTION: I’m 45 and have been riding for 12 years. I recently did a 25-mile time trial and improved last year’s time by 2 minutes. My average heart rate was 184 compared to my maximum of 205. Did I do my best? Should I use my heart monitor during competition? — Steve J.

RBR REPLIES: Fit riders can time trial at about 90% of their max heart rates. So the numbers say you were working at near-optimal intensity.

But forget the heart rate monitor as a governor. A far better gauge of intensity is your perceived exertion. Talented time trialists with years of experience can sense exactly how hard they can go at any point in the race and still achieve their maximum speed for the whole distance. (In fact, I always time trial by feel alone; I don’t use an HRM or power meter.)

Use your heart rate monitor as a tool to hone this sense of effort. It takes time. But once you have it down, you can very closely gauge your perceived effort (you’ll be amazed at how closely it tracks what your HRM is telling you).

Power meters are another good tool, of course, because they tell you objectively how much power you’re producing. You can then match watts to the exertion you’re perceiving.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Review of ArroWhere Lightweight Waterproof Jacket
  • Drink In and Drink Up: Coffee’s Rep Has Done a 180
  • Nathan Sports VaporAir/Airess 3.0 hydration pack – Quick Review
  • Fierce Hazel True Grit Handlebar and Saddle Bags – Quick Review

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1072

Newsletter Issue No. 1071

Newsletter Issue No. 1070

Newsletter Issue No. 1069

Newsletter Issue No. 1068

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

 

Loading Comments...