I wish I could say I knew what makes a good climber.  Having easy access to some good hills helps.   I feel like I used to be a good strong rider on flats and on hills, but that it's slipped away and I can't quite get it back.  I'm trying like heck, though.

I'm still scouring around trying to find some long (miles long) 4-5% roads.  I think doing those would help me gain aerobic capacity and some muscle strength, but at least I have some decent options fairly nearby, just nothing I can do after work.