I was a very strong rider last year. I cycled up the kancamagus last year, I feel lightyears away from that now. I only ever ride with men, mostly my fiance. I drink 2 times as much water as he does, and I feel like I need to eat a lot more than he does too. It's hard for me to tell if he's a freak of nature or I'm too needy. I do want to enter hill climb challenges this year, and I want to get back to the shape I was in last year. I guess I just need to do some research on training and nutrition for long rides.