I think you answered my question.

It would be easier to just say, Newbie = muppet (just in case, translation Muppet = fool)

I did feel the uphill gear was a tough one, but I suspect this is down to my lacking the fitness levels, so will get easier in time, and the down hill one seems to be fine.

Those pedals are actually cheaper than the ones I got, which I thought were cheap. No am not in US, wish I was, the roads around Carlsbad are great for cycling