[PaleMelanesian]

I think you should NOT skip gears. You run the first gear up to a high rpm (costs you mpg) and/or run the next gear too low (no power). Your best best is to try and keep it in the narrow best-mpg band, about 1500-2200 rpm. Use moderate throttle there, maybe 3/4, until your speed gets too high, then you glide.

I often skip first and start in 2nd, because first is just geared SOOOOOO low. On uphills I'll use first for about 10 ft, then 2nd. I'm into 4th at 20 mph, and 5th at 35.