I brought my Kaitai to my LBS last Saturday for a yearly tune up... a little cleaning, some adjusting, a new chain. They told me then that I'd need a new chain and I had my suspicions before I got there that I might.

So, anyway, I told them I was in no huge hurry -that's one reason to have 2, right?- and they could have it all week but I wanted it the following Saturday (tomorrow). No problem. I had my ride all planned: a 16 miles round trip from the shop, across the Golden Gate Bridge -I've only been across the bridge in something other than a car once and never on a bicycle- and back to the shop. Throw the bike on the rack and head on home. All week I've been waiting for it, talking about it. They called today to tell me that the new chain was skipping gears every which way and I nead a new cassette. They don't have one in stock. I don't get the bike this weekend. Darn. Of course, it's my own fault and for this I am ashamed. I've done a pretty half a**ed job of keeping the drive train clean and lubed. Not total neglect but... well, you know. So there goes my ride.

But, as I said, that's why you have 2. I'll just have to come up with another route. Let's see... there's... oh and... and... oh yeah, and...

OK, I think I'll be OK. I wonder if I can do 30?