Cycling UK Forum

Apart from Yoga , brisk walking and cycling ,when the roads aren’t covered in ice , I indulge in weight training . At about 60 , I noticed muscle loss but until retiring 5 years ago , I didn’t do much about it . I was still easily climbing hills but that began to change as I approached 70 . I suppose I’m lucky in that most of the males in my family going back 4 generations are small and wiry and they usually lived to late 80-mid 90 . I don’t remember that any of them cycled or exercised as they aged so probably didn’t notice the fall off in physical performance , I did.
I would encourage all to try weight training , apart from the strength it helps to maintain it also gives an endorphin ( I think that’s what it is ) rush that’s comparable to the feeling of well-being that Yoga gives . I also have a large heavy motorcycle and the weight are my way of holding back the day when it gets to heavy for me and I have to sell it .

Thanks everybody , I appreciate all your replies . Good to get a different perspective on Heart rate and aging from fit active people . I think the stuff that I’ve been reading has been aimed at the average Britain/ Yank ( the internet is somewhat dominated by the US) and they’re not very healthy .

ANTONISH wrote: ↑26 Nov 2022, 7:33pm Are you using the 220- age formula?
At your age I wouldn't have got up a steep climb without exceeding it.
I've had mine measured a couple of times on a ramp test and it definitely excceeds the formula.

I have been told that a rough and ready way of measuring max heart rate is to sprint up a steep climb until you "blow up".
Never tried it myself but I've come close.

Yes , 220 -age . I’ll go out and actually see what my max h/r is .

cycleruk wrote: ↑26 Nov 2022, 9:34pm I'm 75 - 12 stone with a resting HR = 49.
Usually ride about 15mph and with a general riding HR at 130 but can hit 169 on a climb.

My last ride = easy 17 miles - Avg speed -12.1mi/h. Avg HR -120bpm. Max HR -149bpm.
Previous ride = hard 35 miles - Avg speed - 14.4mi/h. Avg HR -139bpm. Max HR - 162bpm

Thanks for that , feel a lot better about pushing on up hills now .

Recently dug my old heart rate monitor out (polar) just to check how I was doing when out cycling , particularly climbing . Looking at NHS recommendations , I shouldn’t ride with my heart rate above 85% of max which for me is around 130 bpm (I’m 70 )
Well when climbing I’m up around 140 and breathing hard , but I’ve always pushed on hills .
Anybody have any experience of actually causing damage by going over the recommended heart rate ?
I’m light and fairly fit for my age and I’d like to stay that way but not keep on getting older and slowing down .