Hey Coaster,
I run 32:18 on my SIR9 fully rigid. did it in 6:48. Most of the other guys I know ran the same gearing and got better times. Next time though, I might run with 32:19 which might get me a bit further up those climbs B4 I need to walk. My son rode his Ti 96er with 32:17 (roughly the same as 32:19 on a 29er wheel) and did it in 6:21. I'm pissed off he beat me, but really proud of his effort.
Training! Hills, hills, and more hills, and lots of them!! We were doing a regular ride from Smiths Gully Store to Kinglake return. There's another ride we do sometimes where I go 32:20 to have half a chance of climbing everything. Generally I ride a couple of nights a week (3-4hours each ride) and a weekend ride if I'm a good boy!
On all these rides we have a mix of SS and geared bikes. Don't think it matters what you ride, you just need to put in lots of k's and elevation to have a successful Kona Odyssey experience.
Cheers,
John