clueless

[Tri Girl]

Welcome to TE.
We don't have any rail trails around here, but it sounds like a great place to just go and experiment on your own. Just shift through the gears a number of times to get a feel for each one. It's just a matter of practice. Just like sticking an IV, it takes practice to get it down. In no time you'll have a good feel for your bike and will be shifting like a champ. If all else fails, just ask someone. We were all new at one time and didn't know what we were doing.
Want to know something embarrassing? When I got my first "adult" bike, I thought my shifter was broken because it wouldn't move. Took it to the LBS and they giggled at me because I had shifted the brake lever all the way over and had to push the inside lever to get it to shift back up. DUH! They showed me how to go through all the gears and what they meant. I felt a little like an idiot, but the bike guy was super nice. He said we learn from asking. He was right. I'm glad I asked and learned.

When's the MS ride?