[fatboy]

I also wish you the best of luck IronJack. I know how you feel, I didn’t put in nearly as much time for my puny 30 miler as I wanted. Also, I have, but didn’t install, a granny gear, my lowest gear right now is a 40 x 28. Even back in the day when I was in shape I thought I would like to have a few more lower gears than what I had. I’m consoled by the fact that many of the riders on Saturday were commenting on how hard the ride was, I think there were 6 big hills to pull, only 2 nice downhills.

But alas I think I shall keep at it and up my training efforts. I have plans to do a fast 20 miles on Tuesday and 30 miles on Friday. Will hit the treadmill between times.

The longest ride I ever did was a metric century, it was in a hilly area of north west New Jersey and Eastern PA. This was about 1994 timeframe. That was ages ago.

[Blue Jays]

"...granny gear..."

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Campagnolo Super Record have always been my preferred components.
Their new 12-speed crankset can be had with these front chainring combos: 39-53, 36-52, or 34-50.
Their rear cassette can be had as 11-29 tooth or 11-32 tooth.
Pedaling uphill in a 34-tooth front chainring with a 32-tooth rear sprocket would be reasonably easy. I’m running 39-53 in front with 11-29 out back.