Ken wrote:

Encourage the slower climbers to burst ahead of the group before the hill.
The stronger climbers can then catch up near the top. After the climb, the
more tired people can rest in the draft for a while before taking their pulls
again.

I hear this advice all the time. It may make some sense for racers who
don't want to get dropped on the hills. But for recreational rides it
creates problems.

It's a real PITA when slower riders sprint to the front just before a
climb, only to slow down a short distance up the hill. This requires
faster riders to pass them, often on narrow, twisty roads with
traffic.

It's works out much better if the slower climbers stay at the back,
and the faster climbers wait up at the top.

Art Harris