I am a newer and less experienced cyclist, and I too have been strugling with hills.

The gearing described here has helped me - but don't drop down so far that you don't generate enough power. I have also gained power from riding up hills standing up, and in a heavier gear.

The one advantage of the weight /mass ratio, is loosing weight will probably make you faster on hills, if you have weigh you can afford to loose. (I have about 20 lbs that could go).

I am also wondering if the right weight workout in the gym will help you gain power in your legs? Would love to hear from anyone with expertise.

Maybe running, even on a tread mill, would help hill climbing -- anyone with experience with that?

I do think that an indoor program that you will actually do, is probably better than planning to bike outdoors, then whimping out (like I do!). This depends entirely on your weather tolerances.

Has anyone tried these indoor biking set ups where you bring your bike and they simulate a ride? There is one near my house I was thinking of trying.