Big breakthrough today! I haven't changed anything on the bike yet and yesterday I got discouraged trying a short but very steep climb after a 15 mile warmup ride. I had to bail after less than 200yards and was going so slow I almost couldn't get unclipped.Both winded and legs crapping out.Today my riding buddy and "coach" said lets go up fickle hill which starts right out my door very steep for the first 2mi and if taken to the top is 2150ft in 7.5 miles. I'd never made it more than 1.25mi before but with my friend we made it 5mi and had to turn around for time. I did have to stop to catch my breath a couple of times on that beginning stretch and then had to stop higher up just to take in the view.
I think some lower gears may have kept me from having to stop. I'm encouraged by your experience big john of going to a 30 cassette on your Ultegra triple setup and not having to change anything as I've been told I'd at least need a longer chain. I think I'm still bending towards Erics suggestion of a smaller inner chainring which would be a more permanent solution than having to swap cassettes. I know that's no big deal to all of you experienced riders.