Thanks to all for the advice and response!

There seems to be universal agreement that the key is to maintain the correct aerobic cadence. I don't seem to be running out of breath so I hav'nt bothered to use my HRM. I guess while I'm learning, I should double check that my heart rate is the correct percentage of the max for my age.

My present bike conditioning is such that I run out of gears (although I have a pretty good granny of a 26t chain ring and 30t cog) on the hills (which are not really that steep or long) before my legs are uncomfortably in pain and fatigued. Sometimes I make the hill and sometimes I get off and rest.

I've been lurking in other forums on hill climbing techniques. Some say on short grades, many just stand up and pedal probably w/o shifting down very much. On longer grades some alternate standing and spinning. And then some just spin. I would think one would have to upshift before standing and down shift before sitting and spinning w/o losing momentum. I guess the accomplished racers and climbers do a lot of standing when climbing and sprinting ala Lance Armstrong. I just want to enjoy recreational road biking w/o competing with anyone.

Incidentally, rather than down shifting a lot when pulling up to a traffic light. I just stop w/o down shifting and then stand for a short while to start off when the light changes to get up to speed as soon as possible.

I do slow down when it feels too difficult and stop when there is pain.

Sinchi