Eric, if I want to start doing intervals and I have a 20 mile flattish or 33 mile flat plus Kings Mountain commute, would you suggest I do them on a flat to low climb, light downhill to flat, or steady climb section? I would guess the flat to low climbs... And how many intervals for what length with what recovery time in between?

Just for a lark, I went up Summit Springs after doing Kings and West OLH to see how the new gearing would work, and I was able to make it to the top thanks to excessive use of the 30/28 gearing. The top is supposedly 23% and I had to stand up to get up it, even in that crazy gear. I would have shifted up for standing, but I was worried I'd stall and crash trying to back off and up shift. But I made it all .7ish miles (average grade is 13.3%).

So it looks like I'm okay spinning up to 10%ish, I can granny gear 10-13%, I can sit and muscle through 13%-18%ish, and I can even stamp my way up very short 20% sections with my current gears.

Still, I think I'll start researching what rear MTB derailleur will work with my shimano 105 levers and see if I can pick one up cheap. Altitude may destroy my meager ability to climb.