Training in wind vs training on hills

Not sure if this is accurate, but I read a while back that every 5 mph of a headwind is equivalent to 1% grade increase. So, if you have a 20-mph headwind, you're basically riding on a 4% grade. I'd be interested to see if anyone agrees/disagrees/knows for sure.

Just read the post above: I'm talking about riding, not running.

I certainly don't have numbers to back it up, but it should be intuitively obvious that if you are riding into a headwind that you will be working harder and need to be constantly pushing it to maintain the pace, just like on a hill.

Can you simulate a 12% grade by riding into the wind??  Not really, unless you are trying to hammer at 30 mph into a 30mph headwind or something like that, which isn't really practical or smart for sustained periods of time.  You'll be near your max. HR in no time ......

Ditto Lewes, DE.  I'm especially fond of the phenomenon were you ride into a headwind,make a 90 degree turn on the bike, and find yourself still riding into a headwind. 

That's because it is blowing accross the Atlantic to the bay, so you are getting a stiff crosswind the whole time.

But there HAVE been days on my vacations where I'm struggling to maintain 20 going North on 1, but then turning around and going back I'm barely working at all to maintain 30.  Those days are all about planning to make sure the return trip is with a tailwind!!

Basing this *ONLY* upon what I've experienced, I'm going to say "Yes" - running into the wind will help build your muscles like hill training - maybe not 1 to 1 ratio, but you're still gaining a lot of benefit.

My experience has been this:  Started cycling ~18 months ago...hills used to waste me.  At the same time I started cycling, I became certified as a spin instructor at our local Y and was given a lead slot a couple of months later.  Unlike a lot of spin classes that are more like aerobics on a bike, my format is more like riding - a good combo of flats, climbs, etc.  I really try and do a lot of out of saddle work for obvious reasons.  Fast forward a few months and I'm out riding with some friends and we hit a hilly stretch of road that used to suck the wind out of me...I didn't "crush" it but I could definitely feel a difference in my leg strength/capacity to hit it hard...fast forward to now and my climbing ability is even stronger...I definitely owe a lot to the standing during class and believe running into a strong headwind will help.

of course running into a headwind will improve muscle strength and most of the time it will do better than hills.  while training for football i've dragged many things; parachutes, tires filled with concrete, even my sisters old Cavalier sedan.  all this in the name of speed and short burst endurance for big-time short twitch muscle growth. 

now this being said...  if your given race has a lot of hills wind is not a substitute by any means.  you should always train for the terrain you will be racing in.  there are always hills somewhere.  if you can't find ANY go to the athletic field at school and run bleachers until you puke than keep going until you're hungry again.  if you can't get in at your school go to any local high school (after hours you stalker!) and run those bleachers.

Only from my personal experience..I live in the mountains and will take hills over wind anyday.  It's psychological for me.  I know I can ride faster and the wind won't let me.  At least on the hills I know I'm doing what I can.  Love hills...Hate the wind