The realities of fitness and age are becoming clearer. There's this base level of workouts and rides that only keep me at a plateau.

To improve, to get stronger, requires this significant base level plus some seriously intense work. I'm guessing to improve will require about 15 hours a week and I'm more in the range of 8 hours per week...which is just maintenance of fitness. I'll see if I can string together some 10-12 hour weeks.