This was of particular concern…. I’m adding a few teeth to my cassette to maybe increase cadence on long days, but I’m still concerned with my minimum gear inch being 40″. (it’s a 53/49, 13-26 setup, so tight and kinda uncomfortable outside of rolling hills and flats)

For the complete Iowa noob here: Should I be expecting gradual rollers with the occasional spread-out climb? Or is taking a dual chainring old race bike maybe a silly move?