I have been at this road bike stuff for some time and have not improved my poor ability to climb one bit. I finally decided it was time to see my doctor and without a long explanation the results were: damaged left lung from the PE incident years ago not repairable and COPD http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/basics/definition/con-20032017 for more info. She gave me medication Friday morning. One item to be taken daily forever and a rescue inhaler that I should use before starting to exercise. I took the morning one and in the afternoon used the inhaler and set out on this ride to compare. Climbing ability is measured as VAM which is meters per hour of climb. I was around 275 with a max of 325 which is basically the lower 1-2% of the spectrum. I could tell as I was riding this route that I would never even have attempted that I was doing better and that was corroborated by the VAM of 450. That is still not great climbing but almost 50% better than my previous average. Things are looking up. Short ride but great measure. I will be taking this path in the future to grade myself.