i started with 52/16...getting going was a *****, but once you got going it wasn't bad...then i rode downtown where there are some hills...hills aren't bad if you can bomb the downhill to hit the uphill with speed. but downtown there are stoplights every blocks...i said **** that...i have 52/18 now. that's pretty nice.
skidding will be hard with a higher gear ratio. it's not too bad with 52/18...i would recommend running brakes until you get the stopping part down.