So I think I’m reasonably fit, from an xc background but started racing enduros.

I’m constantly maxing our my HR on the downs. This seam right? I do like pinning it 🙂

💡 coz ur scared innit 😉

There may be an element of that 🙂

I know what you mean, I hit a new record HR of 186bpm for me on stage 3 of the PMBA Enduro at Gisburn earlier this month!!

Shows what b*llocks the 220 – your age calculation is, that only “allows” me a max HR of 171 😳

Could be interference from your clothing flapping about. My HR strap used to go nuts on the downhills with static from a synthetic jersey I wore. Doesn’t happen with my other jerseys for some reason.

The race was quite sticky and pedally in spots though.

My Max hr was 182 on stage 2 and a bit less on stage 3.

It will more than likely be a synthetic jersey flapping/rubbing causing interference.

I wear cotton or wool for a more accurate reading.

@mikeep – I have ridden with a few people using monitors who have said their max heart rate on the downs is pretty close to that on the climbs

I rode a couple of days at Afan at the weekend and my max HR was on the Blade downhill to Glyncorrig – by 1bpm so I don’t think it was due to loose jersey etc. I have previously had big peaks in hr which I am now sure was down to glitches in the belt – 220 minus age works spot on for me.

yep. 2-3 minutes of sprinty anaerobic exertion, mixed in with a dose of speed/fear and forgetting to breath will pretty much max out my HR….

Yeah, I think some of it is forgetting to breath (and blink). Maybe I should practice some relaxation techniques……….ohhhmmmmmmm……..

its where i always get my max HR, always has been and i don’t race. its not being scared or anything else, you just use a lot more muscles moving the bike around therefore the old ticker has to work a lot harder and mostly the muscles are being used anaerobically.

My HR is always higher on the descents than the climbs, not by loads, but always higher.

I enjoy the descents and trying to go as fast as I can , I dont care about the climbs, I’ll get to the top in my own time.

Same as Julians. My max HR will usually be on the downs. Going up I have a steady’ish high HR, but peaking on the downs