first off, thanks for considering respecting "the commons" and not destroying the trails!

as for the pedal stroke -- i find it's way easier to have a smooth one at a big gear. the bike pushes you into a nice supplesse. at a smaller gear it's way easier to work yourself up into an ass-bouncing flail-frenzy. but, if you're looking to smooth your stroke out, work the smaller gear and concentrate on it.

as for a 'cool' gear. well... who cares?