[QUOTE=jimmuller;14336346
How you get the low or high gear almost doesn't matter. But sometimes a shift in front may be a bigger jump than you wanted, so use the rear where the gears ratios are closer together. And sometimes you want a lower or higher gear but you've run out of gears at the rear or front, so you have to shift the other end, then re-claim some from the opposite end.[/QUOTE]

OK, I can wrap my head around that concept. And, basically, I do ride where I'm comfortable. Speed is not my thing or issue.

I know if I go to lower numbers, the pedaling is easier. If I go to higher numbers, the pedaling is harder. The LBS owner did a wonderful job in explaining how to tell if you ran out of gears in the back so you need to shift the front. So, if I'm understanding correctly, if I'm inclining, I would want to shift to a lower number and declining, I want to shift to a higher number? Dang, I don't need to go fast my just don't want to struggle to a total crawl on climbs. I will never make up those VA mountain trails next spring, if I chose to take bike with me for the week.