Gear inch/ratio question

ignoring the actual technical factors and going on feel, what makes you choose your gear? i run 52-18/20.

i live in an area with long flats and big hills. i dont like the feeling of spinning out when im trying to keep up with traffic. with my gearing i can comfortably keep up and overtake traffic with enough gear left for me to put in a full sprint.

on hills i dont mind having a big gear as i kind of enjoy the challenge, and having having some resistance to push against feels good. i wouldnt want this if i was riding 100~miles or up a 20mi climb, but for bashing about its great.

so i try to ride a gear that is as close to spinning out on the flat as i can, without actually spinning out.

i recently went out on a 50mi ride with a 22t, and while i could definatly ride longer with it, i missed the top end speed for sprints and the resitance up hills.

i prefer the 52/18 as well, and im in a pretty flat area too.

i dont mind pushing in that gear up hills, as long as the bike can take the pressure and abuse ill keep on pushing. I want a front brake with that gearing though because stopping becomes like manhandling a drunk cow.

currently im cruising on 46/18 while i fix my racer, and that i can easily ride brakeless, but i totally miss the ridicolous acceleration and being able to keep up with all traffic and bomb hills like crazy.

I think im going 53/18 when i fix the bike though. Which apperently brings me from 9 skid patches to 36? is that good or bad? less flat spots? I dont get this at all, anyone care to explain how this is supposed to work?