The "gnome" would be Jim. Hes the lead for Belleplain but he doesnt really post up here. Or anywhere else for that matter. He recently had a work day. He just turned 80 and kicks ass.
Farmers carries with appropriate weight kettle bell. Anything with a kettlebell really. Helps alot with the grip and many times with cycling (especially technical stuff) you need to relax because you'll find your actually over gripping the bars...
In the same boat but I'm not popular anyhoo so dont matter, made afew last year but gotta work Tuesdays so ill just hit different stuff on Mondays on my lonesome, maybe catch the Saturday rides when I can get off work and its not raining.
I had one year where I relocated 35 chipmunks to another area 15 miles from my house after reading that as many as 35 chipmunks could live comfortably within 1 acre. My apologies to neighboring Alloway twp!