Eventually you'll look forward to them. I remember going from 'oh crap, another hill' to 'finally! Another decent hill' because as your legs get stronger, you start to enjoy the interval workout believe it or not!

Even during the years when I was out of cycling for a while, any big hill I would encounter while driving would make me think, "Hmm... wouldn't it be fun to try that on the bike?" The thrill of getting up one successfully almost outweighs the struggle and pain of getting there.

With more work behind you, the question mark in your subject line for this post will disappear; it's taking me over two months to finally feel like I'm able to attack some of the steeper hills in my area like I could 20+ years ago.

When I first got my road bike, I couldn't climb wheelchair ramps. Every hill was torture and I seemed to hit the redzone on every one of them. Everyone said I'd get better, and I did. I can climb everything around here, albeit slowly.

But Lemond was right when he said it doesn't get easier, you just go faster. Well, almost. My heartrate no longer pegs the meter the whole way up Keel Mt. anymore. :)