I have to confess, I've never ridden a geared bike in my life. If I was given one, I wouldn't have any idea how to work the gears. I grew up with a plain old bicycle and never had the opportunity to learn on one.
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I have a few times in my past but it can trip almost anyone up, so do not think that you are alone. A friend in Phoenix runs a bike shop and he can spout out just about anything about them but to me its all a foreign language.
When I got my first bike I was pretty clueless about what to do. I would not worry about it too much though. With time I figured it all out and now I would never go back to a regular bike.
Gears can be a pain at first but they are a big help. I guarantee a single speed bike won't take you where multiple speed bike can. Unless you're a gluten for punishment!
Well, we are not too old to learn. At least you're in a much position than me. I can't learn to ride a bike, ever! Don't ask me why coz i don't know either. I don't seem to have a balance in my body.
Longshanks, it's a piece of cake. The only thing you want to avoid is using the largest gear in the front with the smallest in the back and vice versa. It puts too much side stress on the chain.
Confession Of A Bike Idiot 
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