5 years ago I got burned out as a Cat 3 and Expert. I gave away every thing I had having to do with bicycles. I was born/raised at 550' ASL. This past August I moved to Woodland Park, CO and am now living at 8500' ASL. Before I moved I took my brothers SS MTB b/c I teach at a school that's less than 2 miles from home. We have some wonderful trails nearby but everything is so steep. I rode the SS quite a bit and recently, converted it back to 9 speed so I'm not as cashed after a ride.
A few weeks back I picked up a Cdale R5000 with DA and have been doing some road riding. Unfortunately, options on the road are very limited up here. Usually, I ride down the Pass to Colorado Springs (18 miles) and then head back up (6-8% grade). I know that my fitness is not a fraction of what it used to be. The altitude really kills me. It seems like I'm anaerobic ALL THE TIME. Can anyone that's relocated from low altitude to high altitude comment on how their adjustment was? I should be adjusted to the higher altitude by now. I'm wondering if my body was just so in tune with the 550' that it's just going to take quite a bit of time to get accustomed to this?
I'll also mention that my overall physique has not changed since my racing days. Percent body fat is very close to what it used to be and weight is as well (6' 165). I'm not hauling extra baggage but it feels like I lost a lung during the move. Thanks.
I think the big issues here are de-training and frustration over not riding at your previous level. You are 5 years older now and your cardiovascular/ pulmonary systems and muscles are completely de-trained. I would guess that it took you more than a few months to attain your Cat 3/Expert level fitness the first time. If you try to ride like you did previously you will be anaerobic most of the time and will suffer considerably. I would stress patience since you're starting from scratch this time. Just go back to building your fitness the way you did the first time and over time you'll get there. Hell you've got a nice bike, living in the mountains, and riding frequently. I'm jealous. As for altitude... Once you are living and sleeping at altitude your body will acclimatize in 10-20 days, and certainly this has happened now that you have been there for months. The long-term changes include an increased respiratory rate, increased red blood cell production, and increased plasma volume. With regard to oxygen you are now surrounded by air with about 15% oxygen rather than about 20% at your previous residence. At your altitude you would expect at least a 10% drop in VO2max. Since this is a percentage, athletes with the greatest VO2max at sea level can expect the greatest detriment to performance at altitude. Interstingly, elite mountaineers have pretty average aerobic capacity (VO2max) at sea level. At a given workload your cardiac output would be pretty similar that at sea level, but your respiratory rate would be increased. Why do you feel you are going anaerobic? muscles burning? rapid breathing? I hope that helps.
