Well ladies, I'm happy to report - I OWNED the hills on my bday ride! I ended the season last year riding hills w/o shifting into granny gear and was hoping all the winter spinning helped and it did! No granny gear hills for me - yah! Next bike will only have two rings!

Unfortunately the "hills" in Iowa are not close to comparing to the Mt. Diablo pass and others that veronica has referred to - but don't let anyone tell you the midwest is flat, cause it's not!

Thanks ladies!