A BIT OF PROPER PEDALING: One Way to Move Up the Food Chain
Look around at the noobs (and, truth be told, a fair number of Velo-kitted vets) on the next SatSig Ride. You'll likely see at least some, and more often than not, too many riders either in a teeny-tiny gear over-spinning (>110rpm) and looking like a crazed hamster on crack, or their polar-opposites grimacing while grinding a too big gear (<60rpm).
Either of these capital offenses and/or just flat out poor pedal technique. 
Right now in the transition time from the toilet bowl weather we've too long endured to the glorious sun-splashed days we know lie ahead (note: change "know" to "hope") is a good time to work on improving your pedal action, and temporarily abandon the focus on pure mileage or heartrate-orientated rides. Okay, okay. Keep your damn HR monitors on if you absolutely must, but for God's sake for AT LEAST part of every other ride, abandon the squinty-eyed "gotta be a half wheel ahead" mania and target your technique. Pick at least two (ideally, give them all a shot) from the following menu choices:
1. Take some indoor spin classes, or (I cannot believe I am writing this) invest in a fixed wheel bike ("fixie" to the in-groupers) on an easy, mainly flat route. Turn the pedals at 100rpm+ and, most importantly, focus on relaxation (loose jaw, loose grip on the bars, think "mellow quads", whatever you need to do) as you approach 2 revs-per-second. Aim at carving full circles and not just punching the pedals up and down. All of this leads to the improved neuromuscular/biomechanical efficiency you need to become a smoother, and hence more efficient and ultimately stronger rider.
2. On longer, moderate grade climbs (the long slogs up Helvetia or Clapshaw come to mind), try gearing down to a harder gear and climbing out of the saddle with a lower cadence of, say, 60-70rpm. Relax your upper body and rock with the bike, albeit under control.
3. On your trainer, or on a LifeCycle at the gym, close your eyes when you cycle and concentrate on the FEEL of the pedals rotating. Vary where you press and pull to see how it changes your internal pedal "feel". Turn these sessions into little explorations and find the stroke that fits you best. LifeCycles are good as they give you instant rpm readouts.
4. Once you are warmed up, do 1-minute cadence intervals that follow the classic training Pyramid Pattern: 70rpm, 80, 90, 100, 90, 80, 70, all in the same modest gear. Repeat this cycle 5 to 6 times with 1 minute of casual, unmonitored riding in between. After you're done, you can resume balls-out run-downs of the closest potential road kill. Be sure to pick a flat to VERY slightly rolling terrain so that you can concentrate on the proper cadence without getting into any real fatigue. Yeah, I know. Any ride where your tongue isn't hanging on the top tube is a wasted ride. Whatever. Just Do It.
5. Alternate 1-minute easy gear spinning with one leg only: 1 minute, right leg followed by 1 minute left leg, repeat, repeat, repeat. Repeat. If you want, start with 30-second one-leggers and work up to a full minute. Keep the "dead" leg connected to the pedal if you feel more secure that way, just don't use it.
That's it, brothers and sisters.
Off with you now.