I know the feeling well of having the right gearing. Most of my riding area is quite flat with few hills which are no more than about 8% and almost nothing longer than one mile. I now have low enough gearing in addition to which my fitness level, ever so slowly, continues to increase. I know I can climb anything in my area and now look forward to trying longer climbs in New Hampshire mountains, 200 miles further north. Who sez you can't buy performance. That Lance guy said it's not about the bike. He is so wrong.