Sometimes I have a vague idea of what gear I'm in, and sometimes I have no clue. I always know which chain ring I'm in though. I have a triple and I use all three on the terrain around here. I try to prepare ahead of time by changing rings if I know there's a big hill ahead. That way, I'm not shifting when I'm pedalling with lots of force. I hate the clangs and bangs that happen when I shift with the chain under too much tension. And I know it's hard on my bike. It took me a while to figure out shifting and to stop dropping my chain constantly. That said, on my next ride I'll probably drop my chain.

The one thing I always know is that when I'm on a really steep hill and I need one more gear, it's never going to be there! I try and try to shift, but nothing happens