So I've been riding with a friend who, on climbs is a bit better than me. Meaning I can pretty much keep up with him even though he's smaller and has been riding longer.

So anyway, I just notice that if I keep him ahead of me. There is a good chance that I will have that little burst in the end to overtake him and get on top of the longish climb first. Alternately he's done this to me as well and I noticed that the person coming from behind seems to have the advantage and it's hard to get that click of momentum if you just got passed.

So what are you all's climbing technique to go ahead and stay ahead? I was thinking of concentrating on a high number on my HRM and just keep it there. Or maybe just keep pushing till I turn blue. If I keep my hrm just below LT is that sustainable over a long period?

By the way said friend is smart in the sense that if the ride has several stops he does tend to conserve energy and try not to get to the top of every hill first but will save it for trhe final tough ones (but this isn't an atual race so what's the fun in that?)