So, can you do the steep climbs ok at Henry Coe with your current gearing? If you can't then yes going to the 22-36 may help you. I don't think you can go with a 42 in the back (which is sram 11 speed) with out a cassette hub change. The hub change and 11 speed cassette will be MaJor Dollars. With your present chain rings, it wouldn't be too much cost to try out the 22-36 setup, as they use the same crank spider bolt pattern that you are using now. I'm 57 and have 1 bike set up with the 22-36 for those steep day rides and also have a bike with the 24-38 and also 1 with 26-39. If I'm in good shape, I could still push the 26-39 in most riding conditions.

Mike