In article , Ken writes:

Encourage the slower climbers to burst ahead of the group before the hill.
The stronger climbers can then catch up near the top.

Wow…this is the worst advice I've ever read about riders of various abilities
and hill climbing/descending (while not under racing conditions). A good hill
climber knows that exerting a lot of energy before a climb is a waste of
effort.

Slower riders should conserve as much energy as possible by sitting behind
stronger riders, letting them break the wind. Stronger riders should allow
them to "sit in". At the bottom of a climb, the slower riders should be
allowed to move up to the front of the group USING AS LITTLE ENERGY AS
POSSIBLE. On the climb, the slower rider should maintain his/her own pace and
filter back through the group.

Do you ever see Lance Armstrong attacking just before a big climb? His team
gets him to the bottom of the climb in such a way that he uses as little effort
as possible. He stays fresh so he can climb at his best. Why should a weaker
rider, surrounded by stronger hill climbers use a different technique by
"bursting ahead of the group"?

At the top of a climb, strong riders who soft-pedal are probably extending the
best courtesy possible. U-turning and riding in circles is a sign of
impatience and can discourage the slower riders.

On the descents, it is safer to spread out and regroup at the bottom. You
express that you and your riding partners are still learning the skills of
cycling. Drafting while on a descent with riders of limited skills is an
accident waiting to happen.

With a wide variety of abilities, strong riders should realize that doing the
"bulk of the work" is good group dynamics and helps the slower riders to grow
in ability. Your inquires, types of questions, and examples show that you and
your group are well on the way of learning the group dynamics skills of club
rides.