Never hated hills, I just avoided them at first.

However, being I live in a mountainous area of the Greater Los Angeles area, I had to learn to like them. The biggest improvement I made in my approach to climbing was my mental state. Once I stopped dreading hills, learned that suffering was temporary, and that the feeling of conquering one far outweighs the fear, I was A-OK with climbing.

I did make some gearing changes on my Compact from a Shimano 105 12-27 cassette to a SRAM Apex 11-32. Combined with a 105 long-cage rear derailleur, I have the gearing for Alp d Huez to Pacific Coast Highway.

Of course, as the engine has gotten stronger, I now see the 32 tooth cog as overkill, but it is there on days I am just not feeling my best (and you will have those days).