Yes, agreed, I simply use HR and its been highly effective. I calibrated it back in 2016 with several epic (for me at ~3W/kg) climbing days in the mountains:
I based mine on “All day HR” which was seen on some epic ‘in it to finish it’ rides during the first year of cycling (2016).
For example this day with 8+ hours of climbing for the 5 climbs:
[image]
Average HR at average temp for the 5 climbs:
137bpm at 44F
140bpm at 65F
141bpm at 74F
137bpm at 81F
135bpm at 65F
Similar data for other long days of climbing.
In 2020 I tried lower 128-134bpm HR target, and then this past year I’ve experienced greater fitness gains by going back to targeting…