Scott tries to keep his heart rate below 125 bpm on his easy days, about 65% of his max heart rate. If you don’t ride with a heart rate monitor, think in terms of RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion). During recovery rides, Scott keeps his RPE at a 2 or a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. Clearly, he’s not riding to set any land speed records—and neither should you.
RELATED: The Worst Heart-Rate Monitor Mistakes You’re Making
Spin it Out
While training by
cadence isn’t always the most effective way to gauge exertion, it is a handy tool on days when you want to keep it light and easy. Spin at about 90 rpm, keeping the pressure on your pedals light.