At the professional level the ability to go uphill is arguably the most important cycling skill — and one that is honed at an early age. It separates legends from losers, Tour de France winners from also-rans, and even victorious sprinters from those who are dropped long before the final mad dash.

For the rest of us, learning to climb efficiently is an ongoing process often dictated by how many hours we can dedicate to training. Yes, life gets in the way sometimes. But even when short on saddle time, there are still ways to improve your ascending ability. Check out this video for tips on channeling your inner mountain goat where you’ll learn to embrace things like pacing, seated climbing, and steady cadence.

Now that you’re clued up on how the pros climb, it’s time to consider how to deal with ultra steep climbs. You know those nightmare sections of 20-percent tarmac that leave lesser riders walking. The Koppenburg, Angliru, and just about any mountain road in the Dolomites serve as examples. But surely there’s an ugly ascent in your neighborhood, too.

To deal with these pitches of pain, it’s critical to consider things such as gearing choice, climbing out of the saddle, and yes, losing weight. Check out this video for more secrets of success.

Video courtesy: Global Cycling Network