We woke up early in Phoenix and had coffee. Then we started packing up the campsite to be out by 11.
It took us an hour or so and we were out by 9:30 or so. Then we headed to the bike shop to pick up our bikes.
Our bikes. Sigh. Not too pleased with this bike shop. We dropped them off on a Tuesday. The shop ordered parts and said it would be a couple days before they'd arrive. We didn't hear anything from the shop that week, no surprise, but nothing the next week either.
That week was when Scott hurt his back, so we couldn't have ridden anyway, but by Friday, we were wondering WTF was happening with our bikes. Scott called them, and the guy claimed they were just about to start working on them. Scott said to do what they could because we were leaving for good in two days and we'd pick them up in whatever state they were in then.
The next day there was no word, so Scott called them in the evening for an update and learned that one of the bikes had broken. They would look at it again the next day when the boss came in. Scott then got a text from them, saying what they had just told him on the phone, like it was news.
The next day we were leaving town, so Scott called them. They could not fix the bike.
When we got to the shop, we learned it was Scott's bike that is broken. Mine is nice.
It took us an hour or so and we were out by 9:30 or so. Then we headed to the bike shop to pick up our bikes.
Our bikes. Sigh. Not too pleased with this bike shop. We dropped them off on a Tuesday. The shop ordered parts and said it would be a couple days before they'd arrive. We didn't hear anything from the shop that week, no surprise, but nothing the next week either.
That week was when Scott hurt his back, so we couldn't have ridden anyway, but by Friday, we were wondering WTF was happening with our bikes. Scott called them, and the guy claimed they were just about to start working on them. Scott said to do what they could because we were leaving for good in two days and we'd pick them up in whatever state they were in then.
The next day there was no word, so Scott called them in the evening for an update and learned that one of the bikes had broken. They would look at it again the next day when the boss came in. Scott then got a text from them, saying what they had just told him on the phone, like it was news.
The next day we were leaving town, so Scott called them. They could not fix the bike.
When we got to the shop, we learned it was Scott's bike that is broken. Mine is nice.
Once we left the shop, we got this text from the bike shop.
Yes, the bikes are super old. We get that. But it would have been nice to know a week ago and have had some time to figure out Plan B.
Bike saga continues in Tucson.
When we left the shop I was starved, so we stopped at Culver's for fish dinner. It was pretty good and a nice change.
We had a nice drive to Tucson, just an hour and a half. Beautiful mountains on the horizon, sunny, and light traffic. Here's a mountain we think looks like Man Ray from Sponge Bob. Actually, it's much more like him from far away than up close like this.
Bike saga continues in Tucson.
When we left the shop I was starved, so we stopped at Culver's for fish dinner. It was pretty good and a nice change.
We had a nice drive to Tucson, just an hour and a half. Beautiful mountains on the horizon, sunny, and light traffic. Here's a mountain we think looks like Man Ray from Sponge Bob. Actually, it's much more like him from far away than up close like this.
We checked in at the Tucson KOA a little before 2. We got our site. It's okay. I'm not thrilled with the view out the back, but we have an orange tree, and a hedge that gives privacy from the neighbor, and a nice concrete patio. Scott arranged it nicely.
The moment we stepped out of the truck, I heard a mockingbird!
The moment we stepped out of the truck, I heard a mockingbird!
This KOA is super nice. But it's enormous! Here are views to the right and left in front of our site. And this is one row on one half of the campground. There are two halves, with around 8 lanes going through one half and 10 going through the other!
After setting up the site, we headed to a bike shop, Fair Wheel. Scott went in and talked them and was none too impressed with their cajones. The guy said a replacement fork was unavailable because of the bike's age, and he wasn't "comfortable" fixing the bike in any sort of unconventional way. Scott came out unimpressed at the "hipster bike store," determined to fix the bike himself, which he would have done initially except that he has no tools with him.
Then we drove to Home Depot for bits and bobs Scott could use for bike parts and then got supplies at Walmart. We ate a quick bite and then Scott went on his call and I practiced.
After that it was showers and cards.
Oh, and when I was making my snack, we discovered our stove isn't working! Scott monkeyed around with the connections and tanks but couldn't get it to work. Thankfully, we have the outdoor stove.
Then we drove to Home Depot for bits and bobs Scott could use for bike parts and then got supplies at Walmart. We ate a quick bite and then Scott went on his call and I practiced.
After that it was showers and cards.
Oh, and when I was making my snack, we discovered our stove isn't working! Scott monkeyed around with the connections and tanks but couldn't get it to work. Thankfully, we have the outdoor stove.