Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
....Catrin, it's just a matter of practice. IMO it's really too early to for you be stressing about a lot of this stuff. Get comfortable maintaining cadence and shifting smoothly in the flats and smaller hills. Get used to accelerating from a stop. The hills will come when you're ready for them.
I've been focusing lately on shifting in hills - and it seems to me that the best way to learn hills is to ride in hills and focusing on figuring out shifting points Am excited about all of this - any excuse to ride further/longer is a good thing I've also found club rides in the counties to the south of us that DO have hills, and someone sent me a map with cue sheet from another club ride that shouldn't be beyond me.

So I will focus on increasing my mileage a little each week, riding as often as I can. I want to do intervals at least once a week, and focus on shifting/pedaling smoothly. I use BMX pedals so I do have to mash a little more than someone who is clipped in, but it is working for me.

I don't get scared away by numbers, indeed they are helpful to me because they give me an idea of what I need to shoot for. I do tend to over-think things, as my trainer looses no opportunity to remind me

Heading out of town for the day, but hoping everyone has a great day and thanks for the advise and discussion!