Thank you for responding. I appreciate the advice from all of you. I hear what you're saying, azfiddle, about 7 gears being needed in the Prescottt Valley area. My Giant Suede is a 7 speed and I don't think I would want to have less gears than that. Even if the hills aren't that bad around her, the wind is crazy sometimes, especially in the spring. We get 20-30 mph winds in the spring that are killer to ride in. Also, if one wants to ride up the steeper hills in Prescott, it helps to have at least 7 gears.

My main goal in riding daily is for fitness - the exercise and relaxation effect of riding in pleasant surroundings. It's helped me lose weight and lower my blood pressure.