Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
We are all very different. Heart rate, absent any other data is almost useless. Just go ride. Don't worry about your heart rate, breath rate or any other singular metric. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor. You doctor knows your medical history an can help you figure out whether or not the number means anything. People rode bikes up hills and mountains before HR monitors became pervasive, and I didn't hear of any dying in the saddle.
Tom Simpson could not be reached for comment.
I don't know that the OP is worried, so much as trying to figure out HR training zones, which is actually worthwhile thing if you don't have a power meter. But it requires you to figure out your own zones first, because the ones you'll get from 220 - age are probably way, way off.
Oh, I suppose there may be some folks, just by random chance, for whom it works. Just not for most people.