Over the weekend I read a few articles on the internet about changing gears and down hill techniques which have left me with a few questions.

1. Most hills I go up Im normally in the granny gear at the start (seems to be an awful lot of stop signs at the base of hills around here) but a few I start off in the middle ring. When things get a little harder I change down to my granny but it always makes a horrible sound and a little vibration as well. One of the articles I was reading said to lighten the tension or load before changing down to stop this occuring. Well ok I have no idea how you do that if I go any slower I will fall off. Any tips ladies would be appreciated.

2. Another article said that when you descend you should always pedal this helps prevent build up of Lactic Acid. Well Im normally (to put it politely) stuffed after climbing a big hill and enjoy a free ride on the way down, plus I dont really want to pick up any more speed that would be scary. What are your thoughts on this ladies. Perhaps I should just stop reading at least I wont keep finding out all the things Im screwing up.