first of all, good luck in the race if you do it! I can certainly understand your nerves over racing in wet conditions... you said you want to prove your DH right that you're fast? let me guess, he's faster and teases you about it right? been there... LOL... my ex did once get completely SCHOOLED by a woman who blew by us in shorts, a t-shirt and flipflops... he tried to catch her and couldn't... she would slow down a little and look back and he'd chase and she'd take off... it was freakin hysterical! we never found out who she was but obviously raced somewhere... LOL

what kind of ti bike are you looking at? I ride a ti bike and love it! with wheels, cages, seat bag and all it weighs in at 17lbs... I have a VERY small seat bag tho so that really adds hardly any weight... just big enough for 2 tubes and tools...

ahhhh... bike lust... is there aything more powerful???