I am going to do it!

[Melalvai]

After all, I don't like riding with Hitler.

That is too funny.
I'm glad you had a good time! Things will get easier as you get used to it, you'll find a routine or rhythm and definitely locking your bike up will take mere seconds, except on those days when nothing goes right and then it will still take 5 minutes if not longer.

For the hills, shift down as far as you can early into the hill or even before. That makes a huge difference. After all, you are not trying to get up the hill quickly, you are just trying to get up the hill.

Good luck!