Quick update on the bike situation: it turns out it has eighteen gears, not six, as I was told, so I was basically fighting it in the wrong gear the entire time I was on it. I did not realise this until the next day when I looked at the left handlebar and was like, "Oh, those are gears too..."

(Also I was riding uphill, but it shouldn't have been as difficult as I was finding it because it's a shallow gradient for the most part).

I've put in the order for the things I need/was missing, and I may get them as soon as tomorrow. I strongly doubt this (esp as I may have to be in work then), but it's good to know. I have also requested some books from the library about bike maintenance, but I don't know when I will get them, as they're coming from another branch, and the deliveries are likely disrupted because of the road closure.