Hi Suzie, I think you can be ready for your event, just take it a day at a time between now and then. One key thing is that I never try to shift the front ring while going up hill. SO, when you see a hill coming get in either your granny or middle ring as you expect you'll need, and then try to anticipate the gear you'll need in back, but then move up or down the back as necessary. If you are worried about falling cuz you won't have a low enough gear, then use the granny for comfort purposes until you learn better what you can do in what gear. If you don't have a trainer, ask the guys at your LBS if you can use one of theirs to practice the shifts until you are understand how it works. Its really not that hard but you do need to practice. If the terrain is rolling, the easiest thing may be to do everything from your middle ring in front, so all you have to worry about are rear shifts. You should never drop your chain on a rear shift, only a front one. Also make sure someone (maybe in your LBS) explains 'trim' to you. I didn't say in my last post that I had about a day to get used to my new drop handlebar bike before riding the seagull century (it arrived late). While it was scary at first, by the end of the ride I was definitely one with the bike!