and I think the 1 minute for each year makes so much sense. I'm 47 (almost!) and it's really a good 30-40 minutes before I'm feeling good.

This explains too, why the ride over the Golden Gate Bridge has been such a challenge for me. The ALC rides start off from Chrissy Field, near the bridge, and there is immediately a long, steady, but not very steep climb up to the bridge that just knocks me out. I'm just not warmed up enough for it, and I *always* fall to the very back of the pack. Errgggh.