This must be one of the most useful threads in the whole 41, in terms of how much great info and advice has been posted here. Thanks, everyone!

Great to hear you survived, Commodus, and your experience is really helpful. I've got 23s and mountain shoes, and it sounds like, well, it's worth trying the dirt road and putting trails entirely out of my mind, as far as the bikes I have no goes.

And rat fink, that wasn't preachy at all, but also incredibly helpful. I'm used to problems with either the rear wheel losing traction and spinning out, or the front one coming off the road, from steep climbs after it's rained, but the rest of the technique stuff I'll have to adapt to ... it's good to have in mind before I make any bike decisions.

Same goes for everyone else - thanks!!