Of course, once conquered, they become "something to get up faster than last time"

Yep! And.. sometimes faster and other times slower!

I train on the other side of Pig Farm hill (the one Ms BikerZ went down). It's part of my twice weekly metric. I've steadily gotten faster on that road and it's made century rides with hills much easier for me this year. (Of course I have a bike that's about 5 lbs lighter too!)

Z- Good for you! I'm thinking of doing that route from the Carquinez bridge- going backwards to Pinole, then over the Bears, up that nasty Pig Farm hill, and then home via Franklin Canyon. Have never done the Bears that way (and You Have!!!!)