Is he just trying to let me down "nicely" ?

I think he is not interested in you but does not have the guts to tell you so. From observation and personal experience, when a guy is not interested he tends to make up alot of exuses to avoid meeting up with a girl. Move on and forget about him. You will meet someone else who truly loves you and does not play games with you. Please don't sleep with a guy too soon when you meet one coz when you do so they loose interest in you very quickly. All the best and i hope you meet someone nice.