Wow Phish, it sounds like you're getting acquainted with your new ride rather well. The photo is cool too. Do you have many more dh's days left before the snow? Still skateboarding? RIP "Jay Boy".
Love it! Yjpough I am little disappointed with the stock wheels and tires. I suffered many flats on the single-ply Nevegals (Minions for next season), and I broke many spokes in my rear wheel. Having it rebuilt, as I write this, with a new rim and burly spokes with brass nipples instead of alloy. I'm such a hack... Gotta go burly!
The 888CR is like butter! I upgraded the brakes (from Elixir 3 to Shimano Zee) and shock (Vanilla R to RC4) right away, and glad that I did. Only other thing I want to do is a wider bar (stock Spank one is only 762mm), and probably a new stem as I will likely go with a 35mm clamp.