Originally Posted by
Seattle Forrest
Train like a roadie. Do hill repeats if there's any climbing on your route. Spend your evenings for at least the next few weeks getting stronger. Put a set of clip-on aerobars on your bike, and use them where you can. Consider a faster bike.
I have to climb 850 foots of elevation to work and 1290 home over a 7 mile trip. The route home is 9 miles because of a 2 mile detour.