@jlnc, nice job. You will soon learn what gears work well for you. There is a youtube video by Georgina Terry about bicycle gears. I have watched it a couple of times and found it incredibly helpful. Here's the link if you feel inclined: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AeNL..._order&list=UL

Keep doing what you're doing. Have fun, which it sounds like you are.