Living up north I usually ride my mtn. bike on the road the early in the season (pot holes, frost heaves, and loads of sand on shoulders). Doing this more I noticed my hill climbing, once my road bike came out, was improved. I attributed it to pushing more weight with the mtn. bike. Now I add 2 water bottles of rocks (gravel) to my road bike and do hill repeats in the early season. Seems to whip me into shape much faster than simply riding. I also surf and reading this article got me thinking. Laird is a MACHINE: http://www.bicycling.com/news/featur...laird-hamilton Just my .02.