Changing Gears - New Rider!! Help!!

[CorsairMac]

Hi there,
I'm reasonably fit, but some of the hills I ride are like Mt Everest so do I change down to the smallest gear (I think that is what its called), on the front left gears first (there are 3 gears on the left side and I think 8 on the right), and then change down on the right once I have been thru all 3 on the left or is this wrong???
OR Am I supposed to alternate between left and right (front and back gears)when going up hill???
Ang

Howdy Ang and welcome to the board. The answer to your question regarding the gears is: the 3 gears on the left side control the front chainrings (the ones your pedal comes out of) and the 8 on the right side control the cassette in the back. As for shifting, the bigger the front chainring, the harder it is to pedal. The smaller, the easier. The back is the opposite, the smaller the ring, the harder it is.
That being said, when climbing a hill, or just riding in general, you should try to shift down the gears in the back first BUT: like Denise said watch out for "cross-gearing". The chain should never look like this: \ or this: / as that stresses the chain and could be what is causing it to jump. Also, when climbing try to anticipate the lower gear Before you really need it. Shifting gears when really pushing hard against the pedals while climbing also stresses the chain and the gears.
Hope this helps and have fun!! Let us know how it works out!

PS: COngrats on the new bike!!!!