I am new here, too, but thought I could put in my $.02 worth, as well. I thought I would NEVER learn to shift after switching from a Mountain bike to a roadie. It takes a long time to get used to a new bike, but one day you will be riding along and realize that you did not have to look down to see what gear you were in. It becomes old hat, like with your old bike. You think the day will never come, but hang in there, it will, and sooner than you think.

As far as the clipless pedals go...I resisted forever...and then my son said "try them on my bike" and he lowered his seat and we rode up and done a section of a rails to trails bike path. It was flat and I practiced getting in and out of them. My local bike shop sold me what others here have talked about..flats on one side and cleats on the other and that saved the day. If I got nervous on the MTB then I just clicked out and flipped the pedals. I was almost a year before I switch to clips alone on both the bikes, road and MTN. Yes, I fell off a few times, and after two and a half years, I still occasionally do that...mostly when I have come to a stop and forget to unclip!! Now, I can't imagine being without clips. One day at a time, one thing at a time and soon you will wonder what this thread was all about. Good luck!!! We are rooting for you!!