Originally Posted by curmudgeon

Hi all, Usually celebrate the time around my birthday with a ride up a hill around my house (Old La Honda Rd., Woodside, CA), however, the decrease in ability appears to increase exponentially every year since I turned 50. For comparision, in my 20's and 30's I was clearing the hill in under 25' (and riding another 50-70 miles afterwards!) in a steel bike (42 x 21), in my 40's still under 35' in aluminum (39 x 26). I'd always hope to have a time less than my age, well, at 53, I am struggling to make 45' on a carbon bike with (30 x 25 triple). Any secrets on maintaining that youthful vigor? The low gear on my mt bike is (21 x 28 triple) so I can still probably ride the hill in my 60's and 70's even though it will take 2 hours.