Need to rant.

So I take my bike in for its free 20hr tuneup. Some of the shifting had gotten a tad rattly, and I wanted them to give my first chain clean/lube attempt a once-over as well.

Wellll..on the trainer it seems ok. I was trying out new bars and a new saddle too. But I take my bike out today and when I try to get into the lowest 3 gears in traffic, up a hill, the chain slips all over the place in the rear. This is when I"m in the smaller of the big rings. In the bigger big ring, it seems ok but makes a sound like it's freewheeling or something. So my plan to warmup on the flatter trail and move to the hilly one was cut short after the flat one ended (I don't have a granny ring so I need those low gears!). It takes me a good 45 min or so to drive out to my LBS... I could take one trail that's got a slow incline most of the way there but the last couple miles are gravel and who knows what else--no good for my road bike. I was tempted to just ride on up there today. But no, I get to drive probably in rush hour again tomorrow.

boo