Heart rate is a very individual thing. I'm just a year younger than you, my max heart rate is 195, based on testing done at sports medicine facility. It takes me about 20 minutes to really get into my groove. I prefer that to be on the flat.

How long was your ride? Were you eating properly? I know if I don't eat, I can't get my heart rate up.

As far as hills go, part of it is probably the power to weight ratio. I weigh probably 30 - 40 pounds more than some of the other women I'm riding with. They definitely climb faster than I do! But when we're riding on the flat or even a shorter hill, I can hang with them. We have roughly the same power, but their smaller mass gives them an advantage when climbing. I'm going to start tucking rocks into their bags.

It seems to me you're making progress and that's what really matters. Do you realize in 4 months you've improved your speed average 40% on that hill that used to leave you exhausted? Keep riding and having fun.

V.