Hi Ladies

Well I'm doing my 4th RAGBRAI (www.ragbrai.com) this year, and it turns out the route is the 4th hilliest. My first one was really hilly, but apparently this one is going to be a bit worse in terms of total feet of climb. Yes, believe it or not you can get climb in Iowa Actually parts of it have some decent grades. Last year on the last day we had a 7% grade on 1 hill.

I live in Chicago, and know only a handful of areas that I can get in some "hills." I do have the "uphill grind" spinervals DVD, but I'd like to get in some training outside as well. Do any of you who live in flat areas have any tricks to be prepared for hills? Or, if you live in the general area (I hear WI has some good hills) do you have any places that you'd recommend to get in some good training?

Thanks for any tips!