I've been cycling for nearly 30 years and ride with a pretty strong group (although I do get gapped off the front on the longer climbs I'm usually not at the very back), so I think I'm already close my maximum rate. I'll get a good idea on New Year's Day whether I've improved my climbing abilities since last year or fallen off. This year I'm also going to try a couple of 35+ 4/5 races instead of Masters 45+. There aren't a whole lot of 55+ RR's to choose from.