I work two jobs, so I don't wrench on my bike very much, so I depend on the LBS. I tour every six months somewhere in the country. This year, I am replacing a wheel set, and most of the components. I usually buy my parts over the winter, and have the local shops replace them in early April. I toke my bike into the shop this year, and expected it to be finished in a week. Well, April has been warmer then most, and people are bringing out their Huffy, and Schwinn bikes to get flat tires fixed. Going into my third week, my bike was looked at yesterday for the first time. Nothing done. This poor lbs is being over whelmed with repairs, and assembling new bikes.

The other LBS is going on 4 weeks waiting to get new spokes for my rear tire, and he is busy. I don't blame these guys, but I told them I need this bike in two weeks. I start the katy trail in Missouri by May 18th. I guess I should wait for updating my bike in the fall. Usually I am preparing my winter bike during this time. I wanted a new road bike this year, but afraid to order one. It may never come until the end of the year. I am one frustrated tourer.