Trying to keep my cadence over 70rpm at all times. Spinning feels so much better.. and I haven't even attached my clipless pedals yet

I didn't mean 70 rpm is spinning. I'm keeping it above 70 at all times, which is a big step up from what I was doing. I can hold it around 80-95, if I concentrate. That'll become more natural with practice.

40 rpm sounds about right for before. I'm sure that was a factor in my injury, but the steep hills, heavy bike and platform pedals all contributed.






You must have been riding in the hardest gear you've got at what ... 40 rpm????

I'd start the hills in first gear (and with a low cadence for first gear as I wasn't spinning). I'd get tired out halfway up... switch to the third or fourth gear (depending on the gradient) and stand up on the pedals. That felt a lot easier on the legs, like I was working different muscles. If the hill was very long I'd alternate between the first and the fourth gear.. sitting and standing. It felt like the best way at the time.

I only ever used 27th gear on the steep downhills, when I was trying to break my speed record