S
Sam H.
Guest
I would be interested in any insights regarding heart rate and general
cycling performance at higher altitudes. The highest altitude at which
I've ridden until last week was 9500 feet, and I didn't notice any
significant negative effects (aside from being tired after the climb
Last week I found myself at 13000 feet, and noticed all kinds of weird
problems. Aside from a headache, which I attributed to the altitude, I
found myself completely lacking energy (both physical and mental). The
max heart rate I could attain was around 120 bpm, and I could climb only
by weaving back and forth across the road (this was probably about 12%
grade, well within the bounds of a normal hill).
I've poked around on google, and found that high altitudes decrease
VO2max (approximately 1% for every 300 feet above 4500 feet, or about
30% at 13000 ft.) I haven't measured my VO2max, nor do I generally use a
HRM, though when I played around with one last year I found my max HR to
be around 200bpm.
Can anyone else who has ridden at higher altitudes provide anecdotal
evidence? Does this sound like a normal experience, or does it indicate
lack of training?
Thanks,
Sam
cycling performance at higher altitudes. The highest altitude at which
I've ridden until last week was 9500 feet, and I didn't notice any
significant negative effects (aside from being tired after the climb
Last week I found myself at 13000 feet, and noticed all kinds of weird
problems. Aside from a headache, which I attributed to the altitude, I
found myself completely lacking energy (both physical and mental). The
max heart rate I could attain was around 120 bpm, and I could climb only
by weaving back and forth across the road (this was probably about 12%
grade, well within the bounds of a normal hill).
I've poked around on google, and found that high altitudes decrease
VO2max (approximately 1% for every 300 feet above 4500 feet, or about
30% at 13000 ft.) I haven't measured my VO2max, nor do I generally use a
HRM, though when I played around with one last year I found my max HR to
be around 200bpm.
Can anyone else who has ridden at higher altitudes provide anecdotal
evidence? Does this sound like a normal experience, or does it indicate
lack of training?
Thanks,
Sam