I was out tonight from 8:30, and it was pretty mellow. enough people to make dodging interesting occasionally, but not so many that I had to slow down. I rode my 14 cog tonight (as opposed to my 17) on my 47t ring. It was, as the kids used to say, word. I passed all of the roadies, and I was up the hills before I had a chance to get tired. I think I like this steep gear thing.