So... I went and got my bike yesterday. First bike I've had in .... 12
years.

After two visits, and several test rides, I went into the LBS yesterday
morning, and picked out the Cypress ST, and asked for the rack as well...

They didn't have an ST in my size on the floor, so they told me to come pick
it up at 4pm.

So, I go to campus, get my errands done, and drive home to grab the money...
and since it was a nice, sunny day (albeit hot), I decided to walk the
half-mile to the bike shop... where my bike was ready 30 minutes early, rack
already fitted. Get walked thru 'bike care and feeding 101', handed the
manual, serial number, shops business card, and the newsletter of the local
bicycling club. Total time, including the walk from my house? 20 minutes.

So, I have a new bike, and you'd think I'd ride straight home, right?

Sure.... but I thought I should check out a bike maintenance manual from
the library... 1 miles down the bike path, and 2 blocks over to the
library. And the kids would need a video to watch while I read,
right?.... off to the video rental store...

I turned what by all rights should have been a 4 minute ride straight home
into an hour of riding around town, picking up stuff, visiting with friends,
and then going home... I'd guess I took a 4 mile "not-so-shortcut" home.

It's already starting.....

(postscript: I look out my front window today after reading the Ballantine
bike book... and see 2 road bikes at a garage sale across the street....
$30 later, I have two parts bikes that I can use to have fun/learn during
rebuilding.)