comparison shopping

I stayed home yesterday with plans of going to an evening work event in the suburbs, but getting 6 inches of rain dumped on us cancelled those plans.  So I had even more time than I expected to spend at Iron Cycles.

One, I noticed a busted spoke on the rush hour so I wanted to get it swapped out soon anyway.  Two, hopefully anyone can get that done day of so it gave me some time to talk road bikes while it was on the repair stand.

BTW I don't think the spoke broke last week when I was mildly doored.  I think it happened later in the week when I heard a "sproing" noise hitting the crappy pavement at the North Ave beach parking lot.  Could be related, but it's a minor issue on a wheel that already got re-shaped once, so I didn't stress about it too much.

B/c there's plenty of stress already going into testing some bikes.  Big props to Iron Cycles for actually being able to talk to me about what I was looking for and what they had, I'll probably be back in the shop soon for a test ride.  But I'm already starting to worry about how this is all going to fit into our budget.  And having finally had one moderately successful stop, it's time to try a few more shops and see what's out there.  The whole thing is giving me anxiety.

Current beer-scale: 8.7

I hate this part

I have a gap in my bike stable and it's driving me crazy.  Worse, I have a reimbursement check from our insurance company for a sizable amount burning a whole in my pocket, and for the life of me I can't get any help when I walk into a bike shop.

Even if I did, there's no guarantee I'd buy from your shop, but if I have to walk in with a sign around my neck declaring "I'm looking to spend around $2K" then fuck you.

Two more possible shop visits this week, and if they don't go well I might just be waiting until the fall at this point.

Current beer-scale: 8.4

The bad & the good

Yesterday was all over the map.

Had to stay late, and got the day off to a great start with a mild dooring incident on the way in.  Some fat chick opened her cab door into my leg, knocking me into the curb.  Not much damage but you can tell the front wheel is way off true now and my left quad is sore as fuck.  How was it my left leg?  The cab she was in was trying to take up as much room in both the straight lane and the right turn lane.  Good job guy.

So I'm limping around a little, but it looks more like a strut.  Which is perfect, b/c our insurance company got back to us and confirmed they're reimbursing us 90% of the cost of my bike and 20% of the wife's 10-year old bike.  Not perfect, but more than I expected with less hassle.  So now we have to find some time to get some test rides in.  Goodie.

Current beer-scale: 8.2

Humpday grind

Ugh.

Almost got run over by some bearded douche walking home from daycare tonight. So I'm having a couple of these and trying to ignore the fact i have to go back to work tomorrow.

Current beer-scale: 9.0

BTWW 2013

Ah Bike to Work Week.  The five days a year I get high fives for something I'd do everyday regardless.  Still, I've seen multiple people riding this week who have made me wish I was the only one allowed to ride.

But let's not be too negative here.  My office actually has a unified team this year instead of different departments putting their own group up, and we're in second place in our category.  They're only doing events at the other campus but whatever.  I don't need the recognition, but I will probably use the participation points for a free 1-year ATA membership.  See, nothing wrong with staying positive. 

I do hope whoever's riding my stolen bike gets hit by a bus though.  Nothing wrong with that either.

Current beer-scale: 8.3

WTholyF?

June 3rd and I'm looking at temps in the mid-50's and wearing a jacket home in a few minutes.  Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on around here?

Current beer-scale: 9.2 and insurance forms in the mail