Originally Posted by backinthesaddle
Glad to be riding, glad I'm getting stronger, but when I go back to an objective measure, a ride I used to do routinely, it's a mix of depression and pride
thanks for listening!
Forget the depression, and look at the pride. To be back riding after 20 years and you will have lost something. I actually have a hill that I climbed, or rather did not, 15 years ago when I started riding. I still dread that hill, and don't do it very often, perhaps once a year. Why I don't like it now is beyond me- it is not the tallest hill- not the steepest and in fact I climb it with ease every time I do it. Thing to do is stay away from that hill for a month or so, then do it again. The extra riding in between will have improved the legs and body and it will be easier. Perhaps not up to the style you used to do it in, but keep going back to it every couple of months or so and see how you improve over the next few years.