Bike Debacle Update: 5-13-23

As you recall, my bike's front derailleur started malfunctioning at the beginning of the second day of riding, and I was forced to buy a new bike in Palm Desert. Begrudgingly, our charming tour director has been transporting my disabled bike in their large truck. This does not please her. So being the accommodating person that I am, I was determined to find a bike shop that could look at my bike. 

I got to the hotel in Prescott at 3:30 PM. and I immediately looked for a decent bike shop that could look at the bike and diagnose the problem. 

You remember that the tour director actually got in my face and yelled at me a few days ago. "Your bike let you down; we did not let you down!" she ranted as she pointed her finger in my face and stormed away. So classy. Despite her protestations that they do have a qualified mechanic on staff, no one knew how to diagnose or fix Shamano Di2 electronic shifting. Many riders on this ride also have electronic shifting on their bikes. I wonder if her assurances make them feel confident.

Anyway, I did find a bike shop in Prescott that is a Trek dealer, Big Gear Bikes. A wonderful woman, the owner Cindy, calmed me down and had her mechanic look at the bike. She was amazed that my tour company could not find a solution or at least be of more help. 

They did some computer diagnostics on the derailleur, and the verdict is still out on what is wrong with it. I'm having the bike shipped back to my local Trek Store in Alamo, CA. The tour director was adamant that she would NOT transport my broken bike any longer. What a piece of work this woman is. It's a bike tour company that can't fix a rider's broken bike AND refuses to transport it for more than a day or two. 

I did, for a brief moment, contemplate bagging the whole trip, but that would be wrong on so many levels. First, I paid a healthy fee to these people to go on this trip. Second, I am very much looking forward to seeing my wife, my four high school chums, and my 96-year-old Aunt, in Boston at the trip's conclusion. Also, although she would never admit it, "Ms. Tour Director" realizes that she and her merry band dropped the ball. I want her to remember that every time she sees me during the day. 

As she lectured me that morning, I did chime in at one point and offered to send her a "Lessons Learned" email in the next few days. I don't think she liked that at all, no, no.......