Originally Posted by
rdtompki
I'm not sure lower gearing is the ticket. If the gearing is too lower my weight accelerates the bike too quickly to get in the saddle before the pedal bottoms out. I'm thinking shifting to a taller gear to get started is probably the way to go.
You ruled out a wider tire and now you just ruled out lower gearing so you're running out of things to try. The surface you describe is very rideable on a 25c tire in the flats or if the climb was less steep. If you can't spin fast enough to feel that the bike will keep moving than a lower gear is the answer. Lower tire pressure would help (which is why a wider tire would help) but you just ruled that out. Pick your poison or keep walking.