Highway 16 in WY

Coming up the side of the canyon is interesting with all the switchbacks. You are gaining some serious altitude quickly. Take it easy and let the engine take care of itself. Great ride across the top

Route 16 is the preferred route over the Bighorns for RVs. We drove it west to east on the way home from Yellowstone back in 2007. I posted some pictures from the crossing in this thread, if you would like a preview.

Going uphill is just slow. Going downhill, use lower gears to keep from riding your brakes. Better to allow your speed to build a little and then apply your brakes firmly, then coast some more. Then repeat. There are several places to pull over. Do so, and let your brakes cool down while you're taking in the scenery. The downhills aren't real steep, but many are long and straight.

Right gear - one the lets you climb or descend without a lot of fiddling with either the gas or the brakes.

How does one know what the 'right' gear is?

No problems on that route, beautiful country

It's not a bad ride; just use the right gear going down. It has some beautiful scenery.