If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
Thanks everybody for the encouragement about my successful hill climb. I'm still feeling pretty awesome about that.
As for the other thing, thank you Ana and RoadRaven for your words. And I'm kind of thinking that I might be making a trek to Pittsburgh (about 45 min by car) to talk to the bike shop gal out there. The one that I spoke to on the phone while searching for the elusive Surly Cross Check was very, very nice and I'm thinking maybe I'll try them. We'll see. Thanks again everyone.
Gray
Re-examine all that you have been told... dismiss that which insults your soul.
Walt Whitman
My blog: A Gamut of Interests
Congratulations on your achievement!
Ignore the rude guy in the LBS.Do your thang on whatever bike you want to do it on and be proud!
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside thoroughly used-up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW WHAT A RIDE!!!!"