I am really looking forward to it! While it is sad that I need to step away from the singletrack, at least for now, I choose to look at this as a way to explore other types of riding. Good to know about the Kenda Small Blocks, I think my tires will be fine when I switch the front and rear.

I am volunteering at the Gravel Grovel on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, and I am taking my Jamis with me. While I will be working the event most of the day, I am going to take a break and check out how my lovely bike feels on those gravel roads. With those nice wide tires and that suspension, it should be sweet! I also don't clip in, and I suspect that won't change on gravel either - at least not until I get accustomed to it. Sadly it is further away from me than the trails were, but that's ok. The event is in the same area I will be riding, and I intend to participate in the Death March there in March (even though I will only be competing with myself), assuming I can find a partner. Partners are required for that event.

I won't ride long distances until we get the fit adjusted, but I will raise the saddle as far as I can without wrecking my neck and check it out in two weeks