such a fine line between warmed up and worn out.....My energy levels will fluctuate during any ride. I don't have a choice about hills....either direction I hit a 4-8% climb within 1-2 miles of the house.....usually I try to ride it hard just to wake the legs up and tell the lungs and body that Yes we are back out on the bike and Yes we are going to riding anf climbing.....
eventually they get the message.....but sometimes I get an all warmed up feeling after 18-20 miles and the climbs feel much less serious....