I like your spriit schnitzle!! I'm in the same place as you. Went from riding my mtb on paved to jumping in and buying a rb. So now I'm learning the "how to's" of rb riding. And shifting is still new to me as well. loved all the posts. I'm going to try the middle ring thing first. That was my thought last time out. If it's in the middle, I can move either way more easily.

The hills I'm on don't require the smallest wheel yet, but those are coming as my skills increases, so I'm remember those tips too.

One it about climbing I read that really helps me when I'm in the middle of it all is this "find a gear you can climb all day in". That's my default when I don't know the route and my ability to handle the climb. I'm finding that the gear I can climb all in day changes as does my fitness level, confidence and time on the road increases.

I love this website!!! I ride alone and don't have folks to bounce my questions around.