Resting up vs. pushing too hard

[Starfish]

What I'd really like to do is conquer a hill or two in my middle ring instead of my granny gears! But heck, that's what those grannies are there for, so I might as well use them, right?

Sara, wish you were bringing your bike up next week...I think we would be similar riders.

But, about the middle chainring. A couple weeks ago I was out on a loop I hadn't done for awhile. One one certain hill, that I ALWAYS use my granny chainring for, I was shocked when I got to the top and went to shift to learn that I had ridden up it in the middle ring, without realizing it!

So, maybe that will happen for you, too!