I'm with Sheesh. My race bike has a 42 up front, with a regular MTB cassette on the back. I have raced this all over New England, and never had a problem with the gearing.

My "pit bike" does have a double up front. I have to check with DH on what the gearing is though, and get back to you. I used this bike to race Porky Gulch last year (2 miles up Washington, Storyland crit and a cross race at Great Glen).

And DEFINITELY do some cross! The scene in New England is amazing. Warning: it is addictive .

SheFly