Plateau, what can be done next?

stefs said:

Hi all, on a regular ride in the beginning of the season my legs were fine and I could stand my HR to 90% of max for a long time. My heart was limiting me.

Now some months later it's the opposite. If I can get my HR goes to 82% for a long time it's an accomplishment, guess it's adapting. Problem is my legs, they seems to get tired. A feeling I did not get in the beginning of the season.

Ex: We were a group of 5 going at 25mph following each other for 30 minutes. It's supposed to be easy to follow just being few inches from the other back wheel. My HR was not too high, but my legs had hard time following the group.

I am not improving on hill, just the same for months.

What is wrong? I'm not doing interval, could they really help?

38, doing bikes for years, around 3000-3500 miles per year.

Thank's

All I can say is, I reached a plateau of 130 Watts FTP and stayed there for years, that is until I found this forum and with the help of RapDaddyo mostly,
(and many intervals later) I now have a good solid FTP of around 230Watts and increasing. Climbing has become easier, also staying with the fast boys for a lot longer has become a reality.(see my century) It's all documented in my "It's killing me" thread. A lot to read there now I know, but you will find no end of good advice from RD and others.
Best of luck. TYSON 😉

stefs said:

Hi all, on a regular ride in the beginning of the season my legs were fine and I could stand my HR to 90% of max for a long time. My heart was limiting me.

Now some months later it's the opposite. If I can get my HR goes to 82% for a long time it's an accomplishment, guess it's adapting. Problem is my legs, they seems to get tired. A feeling I did not get in the beginning of the season.

Ex: We were a group of 5 going at 25mph following each other for 30 minutes. It's supposed to be easy to follow just being few inches from the other back wheel. My HR was not too high, but my legs had hard time following the group.

I am not improving on hill, just the same for months.

What is wrong? I'm not doing interval, could they really help?

38, doing bikes for years, around 3000-3500 miles per year.

Thank's

Has your riding become routine? It's amazing what our bodies adapt to. Maybe you just need to mix it up some.

Do you feel fresh and motivated? How about some hill repeats - guaranteed to get your HR up along with that leg burn.

Not fresh? Feeling a bit down? Maybe you've got some extra fatigue in your legs and you need to rest it out. Take few days off, or a whole week, and just ride easy in the park.