+1

That's how I trained for the Rocky Mountain 1200 and PBP when I lived in Manitoba.

I would specifically chose routes where I knew I'd be riding into heavy winds. That kind of riding is very similar to riding up long gradual hills. And I would do lots and lots of repeats on overpasses. I'd attack them, standing all the way, moving as fast as I could. I discovered that sort of training helped during steeper bits or as I was getting close to the tops of the hills/mountains.

I also drove the 150 kms to the nearest hill (a ravine) and did hill repeats there now and then too.


Oh, and from my experience, the thin air thing isn't nearly as much of a factor as some people think it is. If you were coming from sea level, and going to a place that's well above sea level, and staying in that area to exercise (like athletes did for the Olympics that were held in Mexico City), then I could see there being an effect. But if you're coming from the prairies which is actually quite a bit above sea level (even Winnipeg is 750 ft above), and going to the mountains where you'll be riding up and DOWN mountains, you won't ever be at anything really high for any length of time.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/a...e/a/042004.htm
http://www.baptistonline.org/health/...y/spor5116.asp