I can sympathize trying to teach gears to people who haven't ridden in a while. My ride buddy did a 30 miler, never shifting off the small chainring. He couldn't figure out why I was going faster than he was... Lately the challenge is teaching a gym-rat Spin class teacher how to shift so she can enjoy the ride and not wear herself out. Her first road ride she stayed on the big ring till I noticed how slow her feet were moving. I am going to put her on the rear seat of the tandem so she can feel how the gears should feel. I hope she can translate that experience to her half-bike. Those who ask about gears, I tell chain closer to bike slower, away from the bike go-fast.