Most every training plan I've every read repeats one tip for sure... "hills give a lot of bang for your buck!".

That's one reason I love my TE "She Loves Hills" jersey so much. I hate them, and I love them. The love part is realizing your progress when you find a new way to make yourself better on it.

The comments about speed on hills also has a lot to do with grade, imo. I live in the midwest. My "hills" are nothing in terms of grade compared to someone who lives in CO mts.

But, none the less... I can recall when I first started riding my bike and a highway over-pass was my nemesis. Now, it's warm-up cake.

Always nice to find a way to improve. Just hope my ride pals know it's not about one up-ing them... it's about "me... & the hill".