I feel old, what's going on?

[bigbill]

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)?

[dhoff]

you are OLD

and everything else. It'll be OK

[bigbill]

you are OLD

and everything else. It'll be OK

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.

[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

[fc356]

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. I did that in my fifties and found that I have more fun on my bike.

Zio Franco

[znfdl]

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

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.

[Chance Legstrong]

Low-T clinic.
you know you want to!

[holliscx]

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

[dashDustin]

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

[Noteddy]

+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.