Robbie's right, just find your groove and grind it out whilst conversing with your neighbor. If you can't chat, you're working at it too hard. Patience. The hill is long but it's not going anywhere, and you'll crest it eventually.
This is the only ride I've ever been on where there's a rest stop halfway up the major climb. Yes, it really is that long.
Ideal gearing for me was 34/28, YMMV
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...