First ride with my new Garmin Forerunner 50

[GuinnessMK]

My son got me a Garmin Forerunner 50 / Heart Rate / Cadence Sensor for Fathers Day (it's just arrived but that's another story!).

So went for a quick 8 mile ride (4 to the gym, then 4 back again) to try it out. It certainly collects quite a bit of data:-

Speed, cadence, distance, time, heart rate, pace etc.

Hmm gadget heaven!

Question is what do I do with it now! I'm keen to increase my cardio fitness / lose weight.

I'm guessing I repeat the same route and compare my data, but how do you interpret the data?

Mike

[FAT MATT]

It's difficult to say. I find the best way to use a hrm is to maintain my hr at 70%. Doing this rather than chasing your previous time gets quicker results, however youl be surprised how quickly you get to 70%.

You can also train with your cadence, upping your cadence in a lighter gear can speed you up to IRC.

[john_p]

Make sure you get SportTracks to plot the data, much better than the Garmin software for reviewing/comparing.

Also you can use bikehike.co.uk to plot the route on a map, then import into Garmin as a Course - then you can follow it while you're on the bike.

[Parsnip]

I use one for running and have one of the speed/cadence sensors on the winter bike - brilliant bit of kit.

If you are going to train by heart rate, determining your zones is the first thing to do - find a long steep hill, hit the bottom at doing a good TT effort, start hammering up the hill, when you start to fade, stand up and sprint for all you are worth - use this HR to determine your zones - the formulas just dont work, and what is the point of estimating when you can do it exactly.

Personally, i train using power instead of HR, so im not the best to offer advice, but there is loads of info out there on training with zones.

If nothing else, the Garmin training centre software allows you to track progress - maybe your HR is lower for the same group ride, or it is the same for a higher speed etc. Plus, the calorie counter is fairly accurate and it is fun watching the numbers get hilariously huge.

[Roop]

I just got a Garmin Edge 305 with cardio and cadence sensors. Was a super-cheap deal and as my original wireless cycle computer has gone a bit flaky, it seemed like a good upgrade.

What I don't fully understand is the whole cadence measuring thing. What's the point of it exactly...?

[snotrag]

Cadence being the 'rpm' of your legs. Most new/inexperienced riders ride at far too low a cadence.

its different for everyone, but around 90-100rpm is a very rough starting target, and worth doing some research into it.

Put it this way - your legs can only put out a limited amount of torque. Power, equals torque times your rpm. thus - (ot a point at least) the faster the better.

All about technique, muscle memory and good fit.

[Roop]

snotrag said:

Cadence being the 'rpm' of your legs. Most new/inexperienced riders ride at far too low a cadence.

its different for everyone, but around 90-100rpm is a very rough starting target, and worth doing some research into it.

Put it this way - your legs can only put out a limited amount of torque. Power, equals torque times your rpm. thus - (ot a point at least) the faster the better.

All about technique, muscle memory and good fit.

Thanks for the info. If the weather's decent this weekend I'll test it out.