Cyclists will ask me from time to time for advice on climbing. While there are many other much better climbers than me, I have gotten to do a few neat climbs on two wheels, and perhaps some of what has helped me get to the summit can help you as well.
   Attacking a hill is like attacking a pit bull: you can most certainly do it, but it's going to hurt. Why not just relax and let the hill come to you? Find the right gearing to simply get to the top of the thing. If it's a race, that is a whole different ball game, but if you are racing in the hills / mountains, you already know these tips.  Good luck with that one! Credit: Google images Climbing in the big ring is for the pros or elite athletes, not weekend warriors or those who ride 2-3 days a week. If your strength isn't adequate to meet the demands placed on your muscles, tendons and ligaments you will come away with possible injury. Micro tears can occur, tendonitis or strained muscles / ligaments. It's just not worth the risk to stroke the ego and boast about "big ring climbing" if you're hurt later, is it? 
 Train on climbs before an event. Practice dividing the climb into thirds: once you pass the 2/3 mark, then give it a little gas by dropping a gear and standing or by simply spinning faster.  Ouch! Pintrest image  
A final tip for today is to learn to push past the crest. I recommend 15 hard pedal strokes once you are over the crest, then recover. Do this a few dozen times and you will become a better climber. * The time to do this is not in a group ride, but on your own training ride or with others who are also training with the same goals.  FYI - pictured below is what happens when our muscles are strained. This is highly preventable by riding with your brain engaged, rather than your hormones. :D


More Google credit