I am so-freakin'-new to this sport! I have some basic questions about this topic:

1- Do you mean leave the front chain ring in the middle and move the back chain ring to an "easier" gear to spin in? Don't say higher or lower, please........all the guys do that to me and I'm confused at this point.

2- What if spinning in a lower gear at a higher rate makes you "bounce" in the saddle? Am I doing something wrong?

3- How easy should I be spinning for optimum training? I am a masher, I have concluded from these posts. I would like to "enjoy" cycling more, and I guess the reason I get fatigued is because I am mashing!

I have the "spin in circles" down and (I don't have a cadence counter on my computer, so I have to do it the hard way!) I try to focus on pulling up as well as pushing down, AND I try to "scrape the gum off my shoe" while pedalling (that analogy was discussed one day on this forum and everyone seemed to like it, so I've adapted it). What else do I need to work at?

I have a 6 month old Trek 1500, so my components and everything should be fine and up to date.......help me with my training!

Kim