I do it on a daily basis on a touring bike that is loaded, total weight most days is around 55 pounds and occasionally as high as 85 pounds. Yes, the gearing makes all the difference in the world. Mine is 24/34 now, but was 26/34 for years. I can do the hills with either. I commute in the Ozarks half the year and in Pittsburgh the other half, so lots of hills. Gearing is your friend. You can sit and spin rather than grinding your way up the hills.