Making the Grade -- and my first half-century

Yes, 50 miles. Of course, that's the total for the season thus far, actually reaching 65 today.
Today's ride was mostly on bike trails and bike routes. It concluded with this pictured climb, an 11% grade. Maybe not the biggest, longest, or steepest hill in the city, but the only one I know of with its own warning sign. Interestingly, it's on a designated bike route, suggesting perhaps a sense of humor in the mapmaker.
The climb was in fact challenging; about halfway up, I realized I was in "granny" gear, with no lower options. So I ground on. Ironically, the hill passes a school, and I had several long seconds to study a "slow down for children" sign as I ambled by. I'm not sure I could have gone much slower.
But I did make it, and ambled home with a bit more confidence. The ride was nice, the trails here are pretty well-maintained, not crowded but not deserted. I began overclad, as I often do, since I despise being cold, wearing a long sleeved T under a cycling jersey, with a windbreaker over that. Halfway through I began getting seriously warm, so I jammed the breaker in the back pocket.
As I approached the 11% hill I recalled when I was in junior high and decided to bike to school. The morning ride was a breeze, thanks in part to a long, steep downhill. Which made the afternoon ride a challenge, especially on a heavy single-speed bike. But I eventually did it, and after that first one, the rest were easier and easier. The next summer I went back to my hometown for a visit, and when we biked downtown, I was able to leave all my companions in the dust on the long uphill back home. So I had hope, and was not disappointed.
As I write about today's ride it occurs to me, and not for the first time, that most of my thinking has dealt with avoiding pain rather than finding pleasure. That's partially fear talking, the image of the impending century. But I'm sure it's also because so far I've been riding solo, which means I have only my thoughts and observations for distractions -- that will, I hope, change when I begin joining in the Sunday rides of the local cycling club (Bombay Bicycling).
The journey continues.