Quote Originally Posted by ardent_cyclist
First, what's a lactate threshold and why do I want to stay just below it?

~Roxanne
Hi Roxanne... I just wanted to revisit your first question... lactate threshold is something that is very important in high intensity racing (such as time trialling) to know and be able to recognise. However, for any training or races, or enduro rides it is very useful to be able to recognise if you are nearing your lactate threshold.

For me, who loves time trials (even though all of mine I do on my own, or with my family... still getting up the courage to go to club level), determing and recognising my LT is important. The goal of a time trial is to ride at the absolute limit of what you can achieve, output the most power you can at a sustainable level... at the end of a TT you should have nothing left and will probably have trouble walking...

Below is the best description of how to determine it from my favourites folder...


You can use a time trial to estimate your lactate threshold.

Pick a course that will take you 30 - 60 minutes to complete. The course can be flat or a consistent climb, preferably with no stop signs. Warm-up thoroughly (at least 30 minutes) and then ride the course as fast as possible.

During the time trial, keep an eye on your pulse monitor and estimate your average heart rate. If your time trial takes 30 minutes, your average heart rate will be very close to your LT. If it takes an hour, your average heart rate will be slightly below your LT. Multiply by 1.03 to estimate your LT.

Note your time, average speed and average heart rate. Repeat this test every 4 - 6 weeks to gauge your progress.



I also googled lactate threshold and here are a few links for you...

http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Exercis...ficitepoc.html
http://www.velonews.com/train/articles/8217.0.html
http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/lactic.htm