Do you work your legs with weights? If so, does it have a negative or beneficial effect on your riding? And what exercises do you do? [B]

The main reason I go to the weight room is to work my hamstrings and glutes. I ride seven days a week during Spring and Summer but notice these areas are a lot weaker than my quads and calves. If you build some mass there in the off season it will provide a better base for power and endurance and climbing will really improve. Of course I don't ignore the rest of my body and do two upper body workouts (one day biceps, triceps, shoulders and then chest, back and abs) per week and one leg.

I have terrible knees and can't really do lunges so I do wall squats, presses, and hamstring curls. I also do the step machine at two steps up each time. I don't do a hard ride within a day of the workout but will do a flat recovery ride.