why not just ride in a harder gear?
or work the climb harder than normal?

and i like RCs idea, except ride winter studs year round, except for events.

my wife trained for her first tri last year.
most of the mornings she commuted 12 miles RT to the Y for a swim on an old mtb bike with really knobby tires.

when she finally got round to doing some proper riding on her road bike she was amazed at how 'easy' cycling was... granted, she's got some amazing cardio... but resistance training / intervals / hill climbing - will give you the biggest bang for your buck - after you have a good base.