Customer Service

[Trek420]

(I can't tell you how weird it was to go into a different LBS with someone who routinely does 600 mile rides, and both of us were treated oddly because we don't look like *cyclists*.

Was that me? Probably me, I've done done ALC 5 times including crewing twice which is harder than riding. MM_QFC here's done more AIDS rides than I can count anyway..... It's not routine, it's very hard but I seem to have figured out how to get my aging bod up and over that ride ('cept this year when it was a true challenge).

We went to a shop advertised as a leading distributer for Surly and a shop I still think of as good.

I wanted to test ride a LHT, I know why and which bikes I'd compare it to and so on ..... they have never heard of Surly ("oh really? Their site/your add says you stock them) they try to sell me another bike as if I won't know the difference.

You had to see the wrenches jaw drop as Knott explains the difference between the bike I want to try and the one they carry including gearing, frame composition and manufacture, standard kit and wheels, sizing and fit why it's preferable .... it's not that the bike they have is bad, I've considered it but want to try the this and yes, I know why.

I'm 51, I'm not skinny, I don't look particularly fit .... that is until you're passed out at the last rest stop of a century and I breeze in, top off the water bottles and head out and you're thinking "didn't I pass her on this hill and that hill and ...."

Treat us like riders. Don't talk down to me, don't talk over me, just talk to me.

Lastly there is no formula of what gewgaws and we want, get this on aisle 4 and that on aisle 5 and women will beat a path to your door. Most of us are pretty sick and tired of everything with hibiscus on it My favorite shop is tiny and his focus is on building bikes, not a lot of stuff. But when I can not find gloves in extra small ... he finds them and orders, if there's anything I need ... he gets it. That's why I keep going back.

All riders, any gender, want and deserve good service.