Quote Originally Posted by Catrin View Post
I have tried to pedal downhill, but found that it was just free-wheeling and just odd - however I didn't try to shift into a harder front gear.

So what I am hearing is that I need to practice more, of course, and resist the temptation to coast downhill. I LIKE coasting downhill - it is fun
Pedaling downhill has a secondary usefulness. If you coast too long, your muscles can cool off. Then you'll find it hard to resume pedaling.

There's a long downgrade hereabouts. I once set out to see just how far I could coast. According to Google Earth, I coasted at least 3 miles, maybe 3.5. My legs did not like to restart! Since then I'll pedal to speed up where possible, or at least keep slowly spinning (free-wheeling).