I hadn’t heard back from the bike shop, so I called this afternoon and they said they had a lower-spec model (Marlin 5) in my size XXL that I could test ride. Maybe I should have asked more questions, like whether or not they are also building the Marlin 6 in that size for my testing as promised, but I could test ride that Marlin 5 as it’s basically the same bike and either they can build the Marlin 6 or I can pick up somewhere else like their Hudson location. I think I’ll try to leave work at 4 PM tomorrow to give it a ride, and then go shopping thereafter. Plus then I can ask my question about the bike carrying rack to see if it fits the XXL bicycle.

I am having second thoughts about the upcoming weekend. The forecast was warm but decent, now it sucks with clouds on Saturday and Sunday and increasing chance of rain. Staying home saves money, and maybe I just need to go to more places to test ride bicycles, as I thought this had been closed down, but apparently like so many things in this world, what is closed down isn’t set a deal until you take delivery. At least I think I know what I want now, and after the test ride of Marlin 5 in XXL, if I have to order the Marlin 6 and have a local shop build it, even if I have to pay first, as long as I take delivery, I’ll be good.

The long range for the following weekend looks better, so maybe that will be my best chance to get out of town.