Using the shifters becomes automatic after a short while, but you don't tend to go up through the gears; when I've borrowed one I mostly use it like a 3-speed with the option for fine-tuning.
Yeah, this. Building up to speed I tend to use "2nd", then "4th", then flick the rear derailleur into "5th". Just have to flick the shifter back onto the smaller sprocket when slowing down to stop.
Using the shifters becomes automatic after a short while, but you don't tend to go up through the gears; when I've borrowed one I mostly use it like a 3-speed with the option for fine-tuning.