Losing weight always makes the hills better. I'm 68. I lost some 30 lbs. over the past 6 months and my little hill loop - and it's pretty flat here, but I found a 3 mile loop with 5 short steep ones - goes very well. Good workout. Although I have retired I still get the Bar Journal and there's a photo of an MLS 150 entrant on his bike that is shocking - can't believe he'd let them publish that photo of his gut in full riding kit. For that matter, I can't understand why he would ride that ride in that shape. There is just no downside to keeping one's weight below 25 BMI, I don't care how old you are or how much you like to eat. I agree there's nothing that beats riding hills in Texas summer heat!