I have asthma and riding up hills is a big trigger for me, so I always take it slow and steady.

- Stay seated (I only stand sometimes on short steep hills).

- Shift down. The granny gear (small chain ring) is your friend.

- Go as slow as you have to. Sometimes I'm only going 3 mph with a cadence of about 50. But I can't remember the last time I had to get off and walk up a hill.

- If you have a road bike (curved handlebars), put your hands on the top of the bars rather than on the hoods or in the drops. You'll be more upright which opens up your lungs and makes it easier to breathe.

- Keep your upper body still.

- If it's a long hill, focus on shorter segments to make it mentally easier -- get to that tree or that telephone poll or that sign, then make it to the next one, etc. until you reach the top.

- Smile.

I actually recommend against zig-zagging. If you're doing an organized ride there will always be someone who is climbing faster than you and will need to pass you on the hill. Zig-zagging makes this harder and can ruin their momentum.

Good luck!