I'm trying to remove my drop bars so that I can replace my quill stem. I was able to remove the shifter, but I can't seem to get the ring-like mounting bracket off. I'm assuming that I have to slide it off the bar end, but it's just too tight to get around some of the curves of the ergo bars. There was some fairly thick foam tape which I didn't want to remove at first. But even after removing that, the bracket is still too tight. Any tips would be appreciated.

Try greasing the bar surface, it has to come off since it went on that way.

Or use your BAC* to grab it and wiggle it off.

*Big Arse Channellocks. They're in your toolbox next to the BAP and the BAW.

Indeed they are. I was able to finally get it off. I was too worried to use a grease, since I'm also dealing with wrapping the bars for the first time. But MechBgon's post did give me the idea to use a whole bunch of super soapy water. It still took a lot of work but it finally came off. I guess the main thing I learned is to always keep the stud pointing straight out. I spent a lot of time trying to slide it around with the stud at different angles, but in the end it traveled the whole bar facing straight out. It was just as hard to put on but now everything is all set. Thanks people.