(Any DK's fans know that song?  Just checking.)

Last Friday we had races.  James won.  8^)  In our pre-race ritual, I always pump up his tires.  This time, I noticed a really loose spoke on the front & the back wheel was out of true.  I decided that Saturday morning we'd stop by the shop (lets say "shop #1") where we've had good experiences.  They looked at his wheels, said they wanted to de-tension and re-tension the entire wheel, & told me the first appointment was in 4 weeks.  Um...NO!  I said that was too long to wait.  I asked if they had any advice or recommendations.  The guy really did say "Go someplace else."  Nice, huh?

I would've gone to shop #2, but I know they go to shop #1 for truing and wheel repairs.  Yuck.

I thought I knew of someone else who definitely had the skills...but maybe not the time or desire to do it.  I called in a favor on that one & didn't even get a response (currently at 5 days).  Really?

(At this point I saw a serious scuff on the sidewall of his rear tire.  Unrelated to the truing, now I've gotta replace the tire.  GROWL!  Local shop doesn't carry what I want so I had to hit Amazon.  That's OK.  I want a specific tire that isn't necessarily the "standard".  1 day shipping = $4.  OK.  I can replace the tire but still need the truing/tightening.  Minor annoyance.)

Found another bike shop online (shop #3) that seems to be a general repair shop that specializes in wheels.  I left them a message that I thought was sufficiently urgent.  24 hours later, no reply yet.

My emergency is not their emergency.  Got it.  But I suppose this is really a sign of things to come.  He's rough on his bike, it will need repairs, & somebody will need to do them.  I need to get more familiar with the bike.  I'm going to need to buy a truing stand and a spoke tension gauge when I can.  So far, the wheels seem like the things that need the most frequent adjustments...and the things that need the most specialized tools as well.  OK.  I guess I need to become the "wheel man".

In the meantime?  WTF!?