Back to front

[xpc316e]

All the advice in the world will not help if the gears cannot physically be shifted. The bike needs some TLC and then when it all functions as it should, the poster can start experimenting in how to operate the gears.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I am aiming to be able to cycle to town (10k) soon, as i no longer have a car and nearest shops are in town. Went in this morning (got a lift) and realised that the route is back to front for me !!!
Its downhill a lot of the way there, which means uphill on the way home :-(

Must work out how the gear thingy on the left side work !!! maybe it will make it easier, at present i only use the 6 on the right hand

Courage Steph, not all is lost!
Get you gears looked at, then experiment with the combinations, uphill, downhill, on the flat.
I recently ventured in the front small gear (called granny gear, I think), on approaching a mother hill. Made it up still able to draw a breath for a change.
I am normally far too lazy to use my gears properly - by the time you have changed you need to change again easier to just pedal faster/harder, but they definitely make cycling easier: the big front ring used on the flat even makes you faster

 

[themosquitoking]

I am aiming to be able to cycle to town (10k) soon, as i no longer have a car and nearest shops are in town. Went in this morning (got a lift) and realised that the route is back to front for me !!!
Its downhill a lot of the way there, which means uphill on the way home :-(

Must work out how the gear thingy on the left side work !!! maybe it will make it easier, at present i only use the 6 on the right hand

Move to the other side of town and don't worry about gears.