Originally Posted by Wuneyeddog
Everyday, I do my best to pick a gear and grind until I can't anymore, and finally have to downshift, then mock myself. Reading this, maybe it's not the best method, but hey, it works.
Wun:
You are going about climbing a hill the wrong way. Start with a gear that you feel comfortable with, before you get to grinding mode, downshift. Once you get to the grinding mode you have lost all momentum and probably starting to go anerobic.
One way to get better at climbing is start with an easy gear and then maybe shift to harder gear as you go. If the gear that you started in feels right then do not shift. By not grinding it out and spinning at a comfortable cadence you will increase your aerobic base, which will help you climb better in the long run.
Just my 2 cents.