I just wanted to post an update. So this weekend, I changed the battery in my HR strap (even though I didn't think I needed to), picked up a bottle of HR electrode gel and applied it to the HR strap, and took a manual pulse to see if it was close to what my Garmin was showing right before I set off on my ride. My HR was sitting right around 75-78, just futzing around getting on my gloves and so forth...which was right on target with what my manual pulse reading was. So, I established that the HRM seemed to be working properly at the time. I also double-checked my profile on the Garmin, and made sure that all the data was entered correctly - ht 5'6", wt 157lbs, Female, 44yo, activity class = 9.

After 3 consecutive days of riding, the results of my HR/calorie data were the same as before. On Sat, my avg HR was 101; on Sun, 109; and today, 108. Calorie burn was 888 (65 miles), 1,147 (83 miles), and 551 (43 miles) respectively. I don't know, it just seems weird that I cannot seem to get my HR up at all on the bike. I can safely say that I have NEVER even come anywhere close to hitting my MHR while riding. Is it possible that I just have a freakishly low HR? I normally don't wear a HRM at the gym, but now I am curious to see if it's that low during any kind of activity.

Don't know if this matters or not, but I do remember last year during a routine colonoscopy I was hooked up to a monitor and I kept setting off the alarms on it because my HR kept dipping below 40....freaked out the nurses. Maybe I just naturally have a lower HR? I don't know....

Linda