And as you start up a hill, Sigurdd50, with someone coming up fast you have to shift one ring and six cogs because you didn't plan in advance and he goes by like you are standing still. Every ring/cog combination provides some points that are best for shifting between rings. It's nice to know what those points are. I guess you youngsters can overcome such lapses, but us older guys have to hold on to every advantage we find.
okay, since the initial poster did not indicate that he/she was or wasn't an advanced rider (I'm guessing they are a competent rider) or engaged in racing... I assumed that the rider was referring to basic riding and not racing, so worrying about (one's pride) when you are passed by some young hot shot is not a huge issue.
And to clarify, I'll say that I am not riding to race, just riding to ride for fun, and to get in shape for some casual summer touring, although I put on some speed when I need to (and at 50, with 35 years of riding, I can keep up), and I ride in smaller groups presently... not so much in club rides. If some rider blows by me, so be it. For me it ain't a race.
But if you re-read my first note, you may note that I'm not doing much shifting off the front rings... just up and down the back cog... as I hit the hill, to maintain cadence, i've already downshifted to maintain rhythm... this the key for me. Maintaining fluency in my cadence. If I hit my last easiest gear and I have 1-200 yards of hill left, I'll get up off the saddle and go
(to be honest, dare I admit this... but I run out of gears, and there is a lot of hill left, I"ll get off and walk and enjoy the scenery... perhaps this is the kind of post the belongs over inthe 'Touring' forum *laughs*)