This has been an observation of my own breathing habits that you may understand better than myself. When I venture out for a 40 miler, the first 10 I notice my breathing to be heavy. Heavy enough that it is hard to drink in between breaths. The second 10 I'm a little more controlled. On the way back (20 to 40 miles) seen the be cruising along at the same amount of effort and not breathing much. I feel like my speed and gearing is the same.
Is this typical to exercise?
Is breathing equal to output?
Every person is unique.
You breathe quickly and deeply at the beginning of the ride;
I breathe quickly and deeply at the beginning of a workout on the indoor trainer.
Towards the end of your ride, your breathing is under control, compared to the beginning of your ride;
I breathe more efficiently & under more control after I've warmed up on the trainer.
Now, here's my input:
This heavy breathing thing absolutely does not happen to me when I'm actually
riding my bike outdoors on the road for real.
I love riding outdoors.
I do not love riding indoors on the trainer....
In my case, the heavy breathing could be my emotional stress response to an unpleasant chore.
Something to think about?
Hope this helps,
-Steve