If the land rises 2000' or more above sea level, it is a mountain. Everything else is a hill. SW PA has nothing but hills but they are steep.

Last year, to prepare for the big bikejournal ride on the Talimena Scenic Drive, I rode as many hills and mountains as I could with steep grades. I did this intentionally knowing the terrain in Arkansas. It's very similar to SW PA. I rode with jjfox in the mountains about once a month, sometimes twice. I did hill repeats during the week on a climb with an average 10% grade, that gains 500' in elevation, and takes 1 mile to travel up. It's tough. At the highest grade, my top speed is 6-7 mph cranking hard.

To prepare for this year's bikejournal ride up Logan's Pass in Glacier, I didn't do that much prep work for steep grades. We weren't going to ride anything that steep. I did some hill repeats on the steep grades but concentrated on the long, shallower grades. But I hit them as hard and fast as I could. When staying with friends in Eugene, OR, I rode Old MacKenzie Pass with GEARS. I did fine on that climb and knew I'd be OK with Logan's Pass.

Wind and hills are your friends. They make you stronger.