Originally Posted by
billridesbikes
Call your wife and have her come get you.
Same problem here.... Bay Area, House on Hill.
Started out using Cleat Covers and walking it... The walk of shame my wife called it.
Really bad day (usually HOT), I have the wife drive the SAG wagon and come get me
I've been known to drive down to the local park with the bike in the back and start from there
I have even taken BART home on occasion.
Be inventive, but don't let it stop you riding, you'll get stronger.
I now bike up it knowing it's going to be a ~300W climb... short but sharp.
Gearing down definitely helped, it takes some research to look up Front/Read derailleurs and how their capacity is specified by the manufacturer.
I changed my cassette last week. went to 11-36 and I'm enjoying it.
If you want specific recommendations, you will need to post exactly what equipment you are currently using.
Mine as an example
RD-R8050-GS Rear Derailleur
FD-R8050 Front Derailleur
R8000 50/34 Crank
PG-1170 11-36 cassette
(Yes this cassette is over the Shimano Specs and should not be installed)
Barry