I didn’t mean to indicate I have no use for the big ring. Only that I didn’t realize I could keep up on the flats in the small ring. There are obviously times when I need to use the big ring but I didn’t need to use it as much as I had been. From what I have read it is a common practice for new riders to substitute pushing a big gear for spinning. I have been guilty of that for a few months. What I was trying to relate to those that have been doing this longer than I have that a small euphony came to me when I realized that spinning my legs faster could be easier than pushing harder for the same speed. It just was hard to think of spinning faster as being easier on my legs. I think my mind equated it with running. A long easy stride seems a lot easier in the mile than a sprint for the 200. But that doesn’t translate directly to cycling. I guess it was my everyday experiences that made spinning seem counter intuitive.