Hills

[Shut Up Legs]

Let's get a popular misconception out of the way, staying seated is not always more efficient than standing. The following will affect which method you use:
Technique - critical and oft dismissed by non specialist climbers.
Fitness / Physical ability / weight of rider v bike
Type of bike / bike fit / gearing - you would think a given but you would be surprised.
Gradient
Speed of climb
Mental attitude

Not an exhaustive list, lots of minor stuff that will affect climbing such as tyre pressure, particularly in front tyre if standing. A hybrid bike is not ideal for standing because of hand position, bull bars will help with this.
Climbing hills is an art, one of the most enjoyable things about riding a bike, IMO of course.......

I agree: climbing hills is great fun! The only purpose of the downhill bits is so you can start the next climb .

As for climbing technique: I'll stand up in the saddle for short climbs, but for longer ones I'll mostly remain seated, but stand up for short periods just to give my rear a break. To help maintain climbing momentum, it's good to continue pedaling while switching between sitting and standing positions - this can initially be a bit harsh on your quadriceps, but you get used to it. It also helps to have your back as upright as possible when climbing, otherwise the longer climbs may cause lower back pain.

The above is just my unexpert opinion, derived from numerous climbs up mountains , of which the state of Victoria in Australia has numerous good examples.

 

[FlyingCyclist]

I'm just getting back into cycling. This week I cycled up a hill. Took me 5 minutes though because I stopped 3 times. I was going to get off and walk, but I stopped myself from doing it, and carried on cycling

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I'm just getting back into cycling. This week I cycled up a hill. Took me 5 minutes though because I stopped 3 times. I was going to get off and walk, but I stopped myself from doing it, and carried on cycling

And they are none too easy your way on either, your either going up one or down one.

 

[JasonHolder]

Different strokes for different folks.

Personally I have a love for dancing on pedals ascending. I don't make a great deal of power so really need to be in and out of the saddle. fortunately never had the displeasure of having to stop on a hill. my only question is how much pain am I willing to go through to get there faster. I quite like the pain so that helps.

Focus on specificity here.
you can make great leaps forward with just 2-3 weeks on the hills. personally wouldn't ride more than 2 hill sessions a week ever.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

I try and stay in the saddle but occasionally stand for a very short while. It breaks up the hill in my mind and I'm too stubborn to admit defeat and get off and walk!

 

[FlyingCyclist]

I try to stand when I'm pedalling up hill but I always fall back into the saddle as I'm out of breathe and my legs ache.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

Whatever you do don't throw yourself from side to side when out of the saddle - you will strain your neck, back, knees etc. Just stay smooth as you can.

Now, that sounds like a myth to me but I might be wrong. There are so many myths in cycling that I tend to question most things these days or maybe it's just old age

I find that when climbing if I stay in the saddle for too long then standing up is nearly impossible, it's like the muscles have no strength at all. So I mix it but mostly standing up.