»In support of your Local Bike Shop

Against my better judgement, this evening I headed willy-nilly for the new branch of a Big Chain Bicycle Store (no pun intended). I should have known better! After talking to three completely disinterested clerks (one had me rifling through their parts bin looking for the chainring I needed), and spending half an hour doing nothing but cooling my heels while they ignored me, told me I needed to speak to a manager, that they needed to speak to their manager, that they had to help someone else, et cetera, I grabbed my bike, my wallet, and decided to wait and head to American or The Freewheel later this week. I had really wanted to change out the drivetrain on the Kogswell, from a 45x14 (88" effective) to a classy 42x16 (71"), but I learned me a lesson but good.
I rolled out of their parking lot and headed to Zeitgeist ("Warm beer, cold women") for a quart. On the way I viciously cut off a suit riding a Segway down 4th Street. I pulled up to Zeitgeist ("Leave drunk, or don't leave at all") and the bouncer waved me in. I settled down with a nice jug o' Racer 5 and caught up with Clint, whom I have not seen in years and years. Everything turned up roses.