I have done quite a few steep climbs, especially in Europe. Probably not that long (1/2 a mile or 3/4), but 15 % grades. I just slow down ahead of the climb and spin up. I don't care if I'm going 4 miles an hour. My goal is to get up. I ride with someone who is a slower rider than me. But she can get up anything! I have learned from her. So while my average speed on the flats goes up, I don't really care about improving my climbing speed. Standing hurts my knees, so I only do it on short small hills. I use my lowest granny gear when I need it and if others make fun of this, I say "so what?" I have thought about getting a compact double, but even losing one gear scares me. I live on a street that is a 14% grade and my driveway has one point that is about 18%. Knowing that I face this at the end of every ride has changed my perspective on going fast up a hill.