I ride on my own but my regular coffee run is my marker. If it takes me 40 minutes for the 10.8 miles- I am about right. If it takes longer- there was a headwind and if it takes less- That tailwind must be strong.

I honestly don't care about times on road runs on relatively flat ground- But hills are a different matter. Most will be taken in the same gear (The lowest on the bike) but can I get the cadence a bit higher? Can I hit that low gear later? Or why did I attempt that one this early in the year?