spare_wheel

The levers on the right should shift gears up and down. Flat bar shifters often have two levers while drop bar levers are often bidirectional. If you are unable to shift to a lower gear (larger cog on cassette) then your derailleur may need adjustment or repair.

exarkuhn15

Not to be rude, but you should really just google that sort of thing, or at least browse through the forums a bit. No point in asking strangers to explain something that can be better explained by the countless websites devoted to it, with step-by-step instructions, even youtube videos.

The Basics of Bike Shifting | Bicycling is one that turned up right at the top of a google search for "How to shift a bike." Also check out ecovelo.info. Lots of great tips for commuting.

Diaz

Not to be rude, but you can kiss my ass.

I got caught up in a storm tonight. Two nights in a row I've dragged myself and my bike in the door, taken my clothes off and lay on the floor for 10-15 minutes. Cycling isn't how I remember it.

I understand the theory of shifting now, but it's difficult to get the hang of.

Appreciate all your advice.

SpeshulEd 

Hopefully the bike shop would help you learn how to shift the bike...

Might want to go to non busy place this weekend and just ride around - get a good feel for the bike, run through all of the gears and see what feels the best for you.

My partner went through the same thing when he first got his bike. He hated it after the first ride because he had never been on a bike with gears before so we just hung out in a cul de sac and ran through the gears 5-6 times until he figured out what did which.

Diaz

I flipped the bike and messed around with the gears. I think I get it now. It's to be wet here again tomorow, and we have some pretty decent cycle tracks here. I think I'll make my way there, mess around with the gears and do my best to avoid the junkie needles and used condoms.

The closest Krispy Kreme is 58 miles away, so my first bike goal is to cycle there.

SpeshulEd 

I'd take your time working up to the Krispy Kreme trip. 58 miles both ways is a haul.

Not sure how far your commute is, but if you're collapsing on the floor for 10 minutes after it, you're going to need more conditioning before knocking out 120 miles in a day. I rode for a solid six months before I attempted my first century and felt like death after it. I bonked hard and took about an hour to recover once I got back home.

Darth Lefty 

@Diaz don't kill yourself! You really jumped into this head first. Don't get discouraged, you bit off a lot. You said you had transit, I'd have figured you would wait for a nice day. Do you have a rain coat, did you get a bike with fenders?

Diaz

My commute is 9 miles each way. There's absolutely no way I'd be able to get to Krispy Kreme and back right now. The distance is too far and I'd end up as food for the crows on the busy roads. I'll be somewhat content just cycling around town, visiting family, for a while, building confidence. There's at least one cycling club here as well which claims to cater for beginners.

The bike doesn't have fenders, I just cleaned it when I got back. I do have a rain coat, but I don't have a helmet yet, or lights. I might pick those up tomorrow.

SpeshulEd 

Helmets and lights can be very handy. Build up your miles gradually and take time to enjoy the ride. You'll get to krispy kreme eventually, in the meantime, try a closer doughnut shop!

exarkuhn15

Meh, I stand by my advice. A good article or a good YouTube video on shifting is just more efficient than listening to the cacophony from all of us on here. Hopefully my comment directed you to some helpful sources.

Darth Lefty 

@Diaz are you alive or did you do yourself in?

Diaz

Alive and well, thank you. Still haven't got a helmet or a light that fits my bike, but the weather's better so I can't complain. My bum is quite sore though.