I'm still here, trying to keep up with all the posts in this thread, but my KICKR is covered in cobwebs and I am trying to ride myself fitter and stronger outside, without too much exertion.
Keeping my heart rate down is making steep climbs and sprints a problem, as soon as the power goes up, so does the heart rate. I have had a few visual problems after long rides, so I need to judge my efforts carefully.
However, losing weight is helping. So far lost 10 Kg, down to 70 Kg (lightest I've ever been as an adult), looking to lose another 2 Kg then switch to building strength. Been on a diet for over a year, so more a way of life now. Looking forward to forcing myself to have more treats when I want to stop slowly losing fat. Getting tired of people telling me I've lost too much, still around 18-19% body fat so hardly wasting away!
In the last 2 weeks I finally managed to get up the Merry Harriers climb (1.3 miles around 7%-8% average) for the first time since my second stroke, even if it took 50% longer than my previous best. Also just managed to get out on one of my favourite routes, which includes a 7 mile on/off climb back from North Devon Coast.
Since February I have have a ride with one friend about once a week, and when we started we were averaging about 12mph, but last time we managed over 16 mph, and I managed to share the work in front quite a bit, until my heart rate hits my self imposed limit. At first we got passed constantly, sometimes by pensioners on shopping bikes, but it doesn't seem to happen quite as often now, which is a relief.
Getting fit is a challenge without being able to do maximum exertions, as so much seems to call for flat out efforts, either briefly or extended. Also, being tech obsessed it's not easy to work on FTP or VO2Max, etc. without being able to get up to maximum heart rate, even briefly. Can't consider a 20 minute FTP test, not even a 5 minute maximal effort for a VO2Max estimate, so I've been trying to find ways to estimate these things from a lower level of effort.
No idea what my FTP is now, but I can see gradual improvement in average power on Strava segments over time.
Garmin seems to estimate VO2Max from VO2 and heart rate compared to my max HR from 2 years ago and seems fairly realistic. It's showing VO2Max 40 at the moment, a big improvement from last year and not bad for a 55 year old, although as it's measured per Kg that may be largely weight loss! Two years ago my VO2Max was 50, a testament to Bkool and racing you lot!
Really enjoying my cycling outside, and very happy to still be able to do it. Keeping up with my mates is my main ambition now!
Geoff
so may want to bail out and catch a lift!
