Then today we stopped at the one bike shop listed on the ACA map in Las Cruces - Outdoor Adventures. I called them from a couple miles out to make sure they were open, that we had the address right, etc. I was tired, hot, and covered in dust from the blowing sand/dust along the bone dry Rio Grande; standing in the shade, drinking a cold iced tea at Family Dollar. I asked weird questions like "Do you have dehydrated food?" (Camping store?) And "Do you have a bike mechanic?" (Bike shop?) I wasn't sure what "outdoor" adventures they specialized in, and wasn't sure quite what to expect...
Turns out that they are a bike shop that carries some climbing gear, and from the moment we walked into the store our experience was awesome. The guy I spoke to on the phone, Pablo, greeted us. He was patient, attentive, knowledgeable, and a good mechanic - and able to test ride my big bike! (And replicate "the noise" on mine, and figure out what the noise was on Heidi's - which was impressive, I thought.)
We picked out some bike stuff (white jersey, thin socks, Clif bars, etc) while Pablo worked on my bike first, then Heidi's. We ate next door while Pablo continued to work on our bikes; and he came over and told us what he found on Heidi's bike, why/what was making the noise. Then we bought some groceries nearby and went to pick up our bikes. My noise was solved, Heidi's was understood (and ok to keep riding, if a bit annoying.) New rear derailleur cable, new cleats, greased pedal and bb threads for me; adjusted gears and some sealant in Heidi's tubes, and we were off (with recommendations for which RV park to camp in, where to get green chili margueritas near it, and which route around El Paso to take.)
Now that's some great customer service!
(And I still plan to think/write more about our other experiences, as well; some good, some not.)
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