I think it was Tallulah Bankhead who said "Getting old ain't for sissies" and at my advancing age I'm starting to get a good grasp of that. I come and go at getting into what is for me a decent form and every time I lose it it gets harder and harder to get back to that former level.

I ride solo mostly and use my computer to extend my goal. I have several familiar routes and I am always trying to bring my average speed up. I like a cadence monitor as I'm riding to keep me from slacking off. I have had cooperative motorcyclists act as a durney for me and that is a great work out. Or I'll catch a slow delivery truck. Every so often I'll get a young riding partner and get my pride handed to me in a greasy paper sack but you can feel a whole level up the next ride.

I just stumbled across this forum recently and have gotten some great information (a thread a few days ago about using the glutes and hamstrings was great for me) and inspiration.

Do some sprint intervals. Do some long slow rides. Get out when it's cold. Get out when it's hot. Don't give up. Losing 35 lb. is awesome on it's own.