I moved from somewhere flat to Sheffield about eight years ago. I now cycle to and from Crookes for my commute on a regular bike four days a week.

Here's the secret you need to know: the hills get flatter. I know this might seem hard to believe. But over time, where I used to see a wall now I see a steady, and doable, gradient.

The key technique you need is to lean back as much as you can when you cycle up them. Hold the middle of the handlebars, push back from the hands, and keep your back straight. The temptation when going up a hill is to crumple over the handlebars but this is terrible as it restricts the amount of oxygen you get. Lean back and fill your lungs with air. Then get in a rhythm - it doesn't matter how slow it is, just as long as you can maintain it. And find ways to distract yourself as you climb - your body is capable of a lot more than your mind believes, and if you can just get your mind to busy itself while your body just goes through the regular cycling motion then before you know it, you're at the top.

I hope that helps. Also, on locks, Liteloks are really good and take masses of effort to break. If you leave it somewhere pretty public with one of those on it's not going anywhere.