How are your lungs?

I'm notoriously shit at hills but I do find it's my lungs that start hurting before my legs do and sort of continue to burn, so interesting thread

Being able to do long distance riding at sub-threshold intensity (e.g. threshold being how hard can you ride non-stop for an hour) is not the same as efforts at 150-200% of threshold which you are doing when climbing.

If you never ever do any riding at 200% for 60-120 seconds except on these rides then they will hurt.

So what you're saying is work harder when riding and you will improve your lung capacity and hills will become easier.

Physically strengthening your legs has got to help too but I've also heard swimming is good for improving lung capacity - yay? Nay?