Originally Posted by Lanterne Rogue

The whole premise of this thread is wrong. Washington is not a mountain. East of the Mississippi River, there are only hills. Good luck on your eastern hill climb.

RE: Running fitness vs. cycling fitness. I knew a terrific runner who had the track record for the mile in his age class in Colorado. He trained for a week-long bike tour mainly by running. On his third day of the tour, he was riding with a hotel towel shoved in the back of his shorts. He wasn't tired, but he was suffering.

The OP's butt won't fall off on a single eastern hill climb. It could feel like a long car ride home, but it will be worth it!