Pimp My Ride

I gave Issaquah Bicycle Center two chances to get me as a loyal customer but I took my bike in yesterday to get an estimate for a tune up. Everything was fine until I asked them how long it would take to tune my bike up. They said about 10 days. WHAT?!?! A weekend without my road bike - are you friggin' kidding me? With my century coming up in 2 weeks? Uh-uh, I needed to get some miles under my belt over the next 2 weekends so I'm ready to go. I have my mountain bike, but I've got an 85-miler this Sunday, and then two back-to-back 50-milers next weekend that I want to ride.

So, I went over to Veloce Velo - the newest store on the block and I instantly fell in love with the place. They don't sell Treks but there were a lot of high-end models for me to drool over and these guys are avid riders. Before they gave me an estimate and a timeline, they asked about my riding but the shape my bike was in was enough to impress them....i.e., it's looked like I've logged some serious miles on it. Then, we started talking (Oleg was my mechanic) and before I knew it, I was talked into switching out of my triple chainring to a double (gulp!!). That's right - I'm giving up my granny gear which I hardly use anyway, but it's there when I'm in a crux (i.e., climbing the steep hill to my apartment on Cougar Mountain....I hate that hill, it's become my nemesis and I will conquer that b%#@* before the end of the cycling season). Anyway, my already feather-weight bike is going to be lighter with a double and new cranks. Then, Oleg started showing me other things that needed upgrading....uh, hello, you're smooth but I'm not that gullible (which I can be if some hot guy is talking bikes with me). Anyway, I asked him how long they were going to take my bike away....and, here's the hook, line, and sinker for me.....Oleg said "drop it off on Monday and I'll have it all ready by Tuesday afternoon which will give you plenty of time to get used to the double. I'll come in early to work on it." Sweet!!! Now, that's what I want to hear!! Sign me up and I'll spend more $$$'s on components that I wasn't even thinking about before I came in to the store. Take that, Issaquah Bicycle Center.

Ha, then it was another guy's turn to try and sell me some new lenses for my Rudy Project frames. Well, I did start up that conversation because I need some clear lenses for these gray Pacific Northwest days for just general eye protection. Of course, he shows me the latest and greatest technology for eye glass lenses and I found myself nodding and drooling and wanting it....the lens, not the salesperson (LOL). It's the Photochromic Polarized lens that is super flexible. Sigh...."yes, I will bring in my frames when I drop my bike off. Thank you for hooking me into another sell." Geez, I am so gullible when it comes to new gadgets.....it's like crack and they're my dealers. These guys are good....salespeople. I need them to help sell kayak trips up to the Great Bear Rainforest. As for their mechanical skills, I'll have to report back next week.

So, after years of excellent service from my guys at Summit Bicycles (in the Bay Area), I'm happy to report that I think I've found a new crew of bike mechanics to take care of my baby. Double chainring....what am I thinking switching out 2 weeks before my century? But, wow....now, I'm really a road cycling studette with my double. Giddy-up!