Today was a good day. Weather in Vancouver was beautiful. I rode with a triathlon group training for Ironman Canada. I did 90K, but more importantly, went up the full road to Cypress Mountain, which is one of 3 mountains in the Greater Vancouver area (all ski facilities) that are popular bike routes. I was a little worried if I could handle it seeing as I have only been riding a year. I did part of this route a few weeks ago and did well, but it was a grind then. Today, that first section felt fine, I was spinning nicely, but the rest, ah, it was tough. Its 15K of climbing, most of it at 6-8% grade which I completed in 64 minutes.
I need to do this route weekly to get strong on hills. Hopefully as I lose a few more pounds, it will be a bit easier.