I'm a big, chunky gal and I love to ride hills (up at least, the downs are a bit scarey). I'm in the Upstate of SC, so we're pretty doggone hilly but not mountainous.

It's my 4th year cycling, and I'm just now learning how to stand up while pedaling!! (I'm so uncoordinated I can FALL off a bike trainer in my living room).

I like it, but I also like grinding away slowly while seated.

When a hill nearly kicks my butt, I concentrate on pulling up with my pedal more than pushing down. It's also good not to look and see how far it is to the top, as has been suggested.

And it's a psych thing, but I imagine that I'm pedaling downhill. There are angles in space from which--if you could observe yourself--you'd be going downhill.

When I ride at the beach, which is very flat, I always remind myself how lucky I am to live in a hilly area because at home I can coast nearly 50% of the time. When I'm at the beach, it's pedaling almost constantly--no rest & windy.

Enjoy yourself--learn to embrace hills