Average Heart Rate While Riding

Just did a 30min practice session yesterday. Not sure what my deal was, but I haven’t been able to stay on the track that long since Clinton and a CR80.

Did a MTB ride on Friday. I’m 67 yrs. old…

The first graph is a 1h 45m cross country race. Next two graphs are late day practice Moto’s on MX tracks. My last Moto’s will usually result in my highest heart rate of the day. Keep in mind, this is all in 90 plus degree heat and high humidity. 

For reference, I’m 39 years old, 6-0”, 180 lbs, and run 20 to 30 miles a week to maintain cardio fitness.  

Screen shots of my Garmin app riding a moto at Murphys Mx near Austin, Tx a few weeks ago.

You all should use your devices to track estimated V02 max.  Once you get it estimated, a goal that will pay dividends on and off the track is increasing it.  I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll perform better on the mx bike with a 45 V02 max compared to a 35.

It's age dependent. Rule of thumb is your max is 220-age. I hit in the mid 150s to 160 all the time, but I can't sustain it very long. Theoretically that's zone ambulance for me, as my theoretical max is 160.

Increasing your Vo2 max is an excellent way to enjoy riding more laps and really get into a flow state without getting physically exhausted. I typically average 140 bpm riding moto. I also run a lot and I average 150-160 bpm while running. I’m 29 years old.

Nice V02 max! Highest I have been is 56 but I was doing a lot of speed work and interval training at that time. Currently doing more zone 2 work in this oppressive summertime heat and my V02 max has dropped a little. 

One moto from this year and one from last year.  138 is really low for me so I am guessing this was a laid back practice moto.  I have found that my average and max heart rate decreases by maybe 5 bpm or so in each moto, I think as Injust get more comfortable throughout the day and I’m fully warmed up.

You have my attention, but please tell more!  I haven’t even looked into seeing if my Apple Watch can estimate Vo2 because I thought that was specialized expensive equipment.  What are some example apps?  I currently use the free Strava and just Apple fitness.

Anybody else have trouble getting a smart watch to get an accurate reading? I've felt like I'm dying and my heart is about to explode and it's never gotten above 160, and will often read 100+ when I'm calm, and 70ish during an intense workout. Are they all the same or does a cheaper garmin use a different technology to read your HR?

This is from some casual downhill mountain biking with lifts to the top. 

Motocross I average 170+ for practice. 

In racing whether it be road racing, supermoto, or motocross I was always 185-195. The one that surprised me most was road racing, never felt taxing on track but the heart rate was sky high the whole time. 

Yes, especially blood oxygen level. My elliptical has the chest mount version, but it's never worked at all. 

Comparing the metal grip sensors on the elliptical to the Garmin Vivo Active 4 shows that if my arms are still the Garmin is accurate. If I'm moving them, especially bending at the wrist, the Garmin stops being accurate after about 120 bpm.

Been a few years since I strapped up.  If I remember right it was 180-190 for an hour moto.  

Everyone is different. Practice I'm in zone 3-4. Racing I'm in zone 4-5.... Sometimes straight 5 entire race if it's a battle. Max HR is about 190, 40 years old. I'm somewhat guessing my max because I haven't truly maxed this year and last year I maxed at 192.

Chest strap is a must for any accuracy.

Edit: Haven't tested VO2 max in over a year... Last time it was 49.

This was a D38 race this morning at Glen Helen. 37 years old in a few days and not necessarily in race shape, spent the majority or the summer lifting heavy. 

Heck ya man! Keep it up 💪. We’ve been having some beautiful 70 degree days here lately in South Carolina. Really refreshing compared to the normal sticky summer days. 

One of my four practise sessions on Saturday, hardpacked. Im typically around 185-195 during practice. 190-198 during race.

200 MaxHR, measured. 220- age is useless.

What are you guys using for a V02 max test?

I’m using my Garmin fitness watch. It estimates your V02 max. 

Opinions on what is the best bang for buck fitness tracker? 

I have the fenix 7 and i believe it only tracks vo2 with outdoor running or cycling? Is there a way to check it while riding moto?

Garmin Instinct 2 and HRM Pro strap 

A couple years ago I did a comparison between a 20 minute moto on a sand track on my 450 and a 50 minute HIT class. My heart rate was way higher on the track but I honestly felt way more whooped from the HIT class! 

This was one I had a few years ago right after I got my Polar Flow.  I still use it but stopped saving photos of it.  I'm 54, so not too shabby for an old fart.

Thank you, looks like that set-up can be done for around $300.

There are many devices available to track your V02 max.  The way I do it is with an Apple Watch.

Look for this app on your iPhone.

Open it and select browse.

Scroll down to heart.  Open it.  Scroll through; you’ll see V02 max.

Any device you buy will have flaws and isn’t 100% accurate.  The only way to get an accurate V02 max reading is in a lab, hooked up to equipment.

I read something awhile back that basically said (paraphrasing);

The lab will tell you what your V02 max IS.

Your fitness device will help you keep tabs on trends.

I’m 50 years old, currently at 57.5.  Goal is to get to 60.  I’m pretty much having near death experiences with my 5 mile runs.  Yesterday average pace was 7:05 and hr was 145.  Either I get to 60 or I die.

Like I said in previous post, increasing your max will pay dividends on the mx bike.  I can pretty much guarantee your riding will improve as your V02 max increases.

The highest bpm I've seen on my mx bike is 170 (measured by Polar Ignite) with average bpm in the high 140s.   That's about what I see on a 45-60 minute vigorous mtb ride too.  At 69 y/o, my Polar tells me my VO2 Max is 41.