I feel old, what's going on?

I'm 47, need to lose weight to get back to where I was a few years ago. My job has been very stressful for the last three years and I haven't been consistently riding until recently. I retired from the Navy in September and I'm now working as an engineer in Paris, TX. When I ride, it seems like my heartrate is constantly high. On Friday, I wore two different heartrate monitors and they tracked each other within a few beats. I didn't experience this in the PNW in the months before I retired. The only difference is the terrain, the PNW was climb/descend and around here it is constant pedalling on flat/rolling roads. I try easing up with a lower gear and speed but it doesn't make much of a difference. Am I just old or does my body need to adjust to the new riding style (constant pedaling)?

you are OLD

and everything else. It'll be OK

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Originally Posted by dhoff

you are OLD

and everything else. It'll be OK

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I recall when I was much younger, I was transfered from the PNW to Charleston, SC. The constant pedaling on flat terrain meant I got dropped pretty early for the first few months. It just hurts more now that I'm older. I start spin classes this week with the short daylight days. That should help me adjust and lose weight. My ego is writing checks my legs won't cash.

Wild guess, you are stressed.

Coach Josh says, toss out the HR monitors. Stop "training" and commit to a solid 8 weeks of easy riding + focus on strength work.

Make checks payable to : Too Tall @ you are welcome dot com

It's the terrain. I'm closer to 70 than 60, I ride on flat roads most of the time and can roll with the best of them , well most of the time at a relatively low heart rate. Put me in the hills or mountains, and my heart rate soars and I go backwards fast. Rollers are okay, it's the long grades that get me.
I agree with Too Tall, put away the tachs and speedometers and just ride.:noworry: I did that in my fifties and found that I have more fun on my bike.

Zio Franco

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Originally Posted by Too Tall

Wild guess, you are stressed.

Coach Josh says, toss out the HR monitors. Stop "training" and commit to a solid 8 weeks of easy riding + focus on strength work.

Make checks payable to : Too Tall @ you are welcome dot com

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If you pay Pucci you will get faster results :)

Bill: Be happy that you can get out and enjoy life. Ride consistently and all things will get better.

Low-T clinic.
you know you want to!

It might be the barbecue and/or Shiner Bock but ditto what TooTall said and #ridejahbike

ps, it's probably the navy too my dad was in the service for 21 years

Paris, TX. Home of...my wife. And her dad's weight loss clinic. And a mini Tour d'Eifel. And not one bike shop.

+1 on TT's advice. He has more wisdom and experience than most.

I do notice that my heartrate goes up when the seasons change. As the temps drop in the fall and I figure out clothing again, my cruising heartrate goes up a bit. Happens again in July the first few rides over 90*. No idea why, and it all evens out in the end.