[font=Times New Roman]I am 55 years old and last year had a max heart rate of 185bpm and a resting pulse of 45bpm.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]I have recently had a few months off the bike due to hip surgery. Before the lay off on a normal ride my heart rate would be 145-155bpm and I rode 5-6 times per week for one and a half to two hours. When I used to do my 2 x 20mins my heart rate at the L4 level was 165bpm. [/font]
[font=Times New Roman]I now find that during a normal ride when I feel nice and comfortable that my heart rate is 165bpm, sometimes I look down and see 170+ and I am not even out of breath or feel that it is too much. I know I am unfit at the moment but my question is should I keep riding at this elevated heart rate during these “foundation miles” as I don’t want to stress anything (!) or should I reduce my effort so my heart rate is in the more usual range (for me) of 145-155bpm. [/font]
[font=Times New Roman]Thanks in advance.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]Bill.[/font]