A “trick” the good climbers use for climbing hills is finding a rhythm that works for you. This is more of an experience thing, but the big points are:
1 – Start slow and steady. Keep a steady pace. It takes your cardiovascular system about 30s to catch up, so if it’s too easy or too hard after 30s of this effort level, adjust your effort.
2 – Make sure your breathing is relatively steady. A good starting point for the right effort level on a steeper hill is you are taking one breath for every two pedal strokes, you’re feeling like you’re putting in the effort but if you had to kick it up a notch, you’d probably be able to do it. Then adjust this effort as needed.
3 – If you have to choose between sit and spin or stand up and grind the pedals, sit and spin is more efficient almost every time. The heavier the bike, the more this makes a difference.

I can’t add much to descending given above, but regarding cornering: motorcycle training teaches braking in a straight line BEFORE you get to the corner, roll through, and apply power out. They also teach putting weight on the outside peg. That’s true for bicycling too – slow before you get to the corner, turn putting weight on the outside pedal, and pedal out of the corner.

On Chilly Hilly, you won’t be alone. Especially at this time of year, many people are not very fit & may not be able to make it up without walking. Keeping that you’ll be riding with up to 6000 of your best buddies (the record I know of from one sunny year a couple of years ago)…
1 – If you walk, you’re not alone. I’d estimate at least 50% of people walk up at least one of the hills on an average year. There is no shame in walking. If you feel like your legs are starting to cramp, walking might even be a good thing! It’ll give you a chance to stretch your legs and use different muscles.
2 – If you’re thinking you won’t make it up the hill, keep more to the right. Call out that you’re stopping, and if you can manage it, use a hand signal. Remember to ride SMART – M stands for move off the roadway if you’re stopping. Which brings me to…
3 – If you’re thinking you’re going to make it up the hill just fine, keep a little extra distance from the person in front of you. Every year I see at least one rider fall because the person in front of them just stopped in the middle of the roadway. Sometimes the fall is bad and ends their ride.
4 – Leave a bigger gap than normal #2 reason – When riders get out of the saddle and stand up on their pedals it moves their bikes back a good 4-8″. If you’re following too closely, you’ll touch tires & go down. Again, have seen this almost every year I’ve done it, and again, sometimes it ends that person’s ride.

At the end of the ride, it is cold, and sometimes you can be waiting for the ferry for a long time. Bring something warm to wear. If you are really cold, and you see a guy with an army green 29′er MTB with a frame bag, that’s me – say hi, introduce yourself and ask for the emergency blanket I keep on hand. I always bring one and will gladly give it to you if you need it.