My industrial cruiser bike is geared 42:21, so 52 gear-inches with 26" tires. That helps on the hills, but they are still a challenge for me (and around here, the average hill tends to be maybe 100' high). I've been riding that bike a year and a half now, and I'm still improving, so it is a slow process. I'm glad I can coast, too, that would be rough otherwise.

I think part of the secret is being young and light, part is having a light bike.

As to passing roadies on the hills- I can identify with that, although it's not quite what it sounds like. Going up a moderate hill on a single-speed, there's not much advantage to slowing down, so if it's not too long, I can just increase the power output and zip on up. On the geared bikes, I think they tend to downshift, and keep a more constant power output, then on the downhill side, upshift and keep pedaling going down. So I may pass a roadie on an uphill, but it doesn't mean much, either. And "roadie" in this case means "person on a road bike", not necessarily an accomplished rider.