I'll leave downshifting answers to the pros....particularly since I plan to coast forever downhill all the way into heaven.

As for more gears....I'm all for more gears....the more the merrier....someday some angel is going to invent a solar powered doodad that will give granny lovers like me a 1st gear so low that it's a negative number.

Congratulations! I'm so glad to see you weathing the first few days with plans for the future goals.