chucky

Whats wrong with the lab,i always get good service there,and now Nic White has an interest in the lab,he is always very helpful with everything,try them u might be suprised

thanks to the frazers for donations,razor boys mom and dad.

The first donaton made by Ivan Kruger of Harmony cycling thanks Ivan.

Hi, Many of you will remember form last year that I was diagnosed with bladder cancer and it was quite a shock. I rode the 94.7 on a chopper, sponsored by Specialized, dressed as a CHOC Cow. Thanks to donations and sponsorship from many amazing people R100 000 was raised for CHOC. Now, 6 ops and 3 sessions of chemo later, at the end of August they removed 3 more tumours. This resulted in a long look at life and the decision to sell my business and become semi retired. It also resulted in the decision to do bigger things at 94.7 this year. This year I will be riding an 8 seater tandem with myself at the front, Derek as the stoker and 6 special children in between. I am appealing to corporate to sponsor the bike and put their branding on it. I am appealing to everyone else to support us and the children by making a donation into the back a buddy account: backabuddy/mark thijs 8 seater tandem. Dig deep and support this worthy cause. Like me and my family, you never know when things like this could affect your lives. Thanking you in advance Mark

Hi all yes im doing it again but this time im riding a 8 seater tandem with Derrick the stoker and 6 very special kids,in the 94,7 my account is open at backabuddymark thijs 8 seater tandem,please dig deep,more info and pics to follow,my target this year for the tandem team is 500k,yes 500k,so no amount is too small and off course to big,last year we raised 120kfrom many small donations to prove that everything helps, the kids riding with me will all be suffering from one type of cancer or another. From my side im still fighting cancer and had another 3 tumors removed 2 weeks ago,thats after 6 opps and 3 sets of chemo. I sold my business yesterday and am now offically retired, All the best and thank you in advance Mark Thijs (chucky)

I must be oaklies biggest with most probaly 12 pairs of glasses,the other day i handed a lense into my LBS to get them warrented and after 4 weeks they are not prepared to replace the lenses,these glasses are not cheap and im quite disapointed,guess its time to change to a new brand.

thats the stuff a very thick jelly

enervit has produced an amazing new product called pre sport,96%of the energy comes from carbs and is a low Gi,with no fat,it gets taken before a race for those of us that cant eat before a ride or race ,also good for losing weight.

As you are aware we have had issues with the cradle residents in the past,but due to some hard work from certain people we now have a good working relationship in trying to sort out there and our problums,a special mention to Garth Mes a cradle residents who has been driven the initiative,please read the attached letter from Garth. < =text/>body,html { overflow-y: hidden; overflow-x: hidden;} Hi <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Not sure if you have all heard, but there has been a problem with an illegal land invasion in Kromdraai. Short story is the residents went to court and stopped the invasion (cost a lot of money) and the red ants moved in on Friday morning and then again yesterday and removed shacks. The squatters did not take this lying down and started stoning cars , burning tires, blocking the road with stones and destroyed the circle and also dug up parts of the road. Police were called in and there were some serious standoffs. I have just been to the kromdraai store and came across two cyclists and stopped to tell them that it was not a good idea to ride through here at the moment. They told me that they had been stopped by some squatters and that the message was that they cannot ride in the cycle lane as this was for them to walk and that the cyclists must pay them to go through the area. The cyclists said they had no money and were allowed to go. Maybe someone should send the message out on the hub or where ever, that if cyclists are going to ride through here, they must ride with extreme caution. Regards Gart082 322 3521 www.paperless.co.za www.scanner.co.za

Use enervit,imported from Italy,very strict controls,but more expensive,you pay foy for quality.

Mr Ples,i have on purpose kept away from your childish remarks,and you abviously dont read that well either. My original post was complaining firstly about a certain Mr X who almost took us out,whilst 3 of us myself ,Andrew,and Bruce were out riding yes 2 a breast and as far left as possible if that is illegal then we should be fined. I see nothing has been mentioned by you and or any other cradle residents about a cradle resident and business owner condoning that sort off driving.That is the ISSUE here the rest is minor in my books,I refuse to be buzzed by crazy motorists putting my life and that of others at risk. Mr X admitted to me he had buzzed us when i phoned him,and if would have appologized then it would have been all over what is ONE SIDED about that i just dont get you. We did recieve information about a blockade,you can either believe that or not i really dont care. Yes a letter was sent out for all to read,and it is quite simple, let a driver knock a cyclists down for trying to dicourage him or her from riding there bikes charges will be laid,it also mentioned that the law can be applied both ways. Behind the scenes attempts are being made to resolve these issues and you are not invited. I have not called you any names of any sort and have stuck strictly to the facts as i know them.All the name calling you have done yourself,read my !st post again where i said no name calling no threats to be made,you have enranged the cyclists all by yourself and have bought any name calling apon yourself. A meeting is and has been arranged more than that i cannot say. This IS the last you hear from me till AFTER the meeting did you read that properly AFTER the meeting.

To all cyclists residents read the letter my lawyer sent,if anything happens to a cyclist whilst riding the cradle route action will be taken.A meeting will hopefully be held on Wed and all invited to raide yor concerns in a constructive manner.So will ALL parties please make an effort to attend,we will post the place and time.

Dear Sir<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> MARK THIJS AND OTHER CYCLISTS 1. On 14 January 2010 at approximately 06h20, our client together with two other cyclists were cycling on the so-called <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /> Cradle Road in the direction of Muldersdrift. 2. There was very little traffic on the road and there was more than ample space for vehicles approaching from the rear of the cyclists to safely pass them. 3. All three cyclists are extremely experienced and competent cyclists, and were cycling in a safe manner. Notwithstanding this, you, whilst driving an Isuzu bakkie, passed the cyclists at speed and dangerously close to them, with your hand on the hooter from some distance before you reached them. 4. Certain residents in the area have openly stated that they intend knocking over the cyclists on the Cradle route. By your conduct on 14 January, it is clear that you share such sentiments and when our client telephoned you to ask whether you were the driver of the Isuzu bakkie that nearly knocked them over, you stated that you were and you further stated ?so what? in an aggressive and confrontational manner. 5. Cyclists have as much right to use the roads as motorists and any one else, and all users of the road have to obey the traffic laws and regulations. If there is a cyclist on the road and you wish to pass that cyclist, you have to do so in a reasonable and safe fashion, simultaneously obeying all traffic laws. 6. If you believe that the cyclists are infringing your rights or any law, you are advised to react by taking legal steps against them. It is being made clear to our client that certain persons, including you, intend causing harm to cyclists who use the Cradle Road. You are notified that you are not entitled to act in such a fashion and you are further notified that should any cyclist be injured as a result of your conduct, that your conduct will constitute a criminal offence. Furthermore, should a cyclist be struck and knocked over or God forbid, killed, your conduct may amount to attempted murder or murder, as the case may be. This is quite apart from being liable to the cyclist or his dependents, as the case may be, for damages. 7. You are notified that a meeting between representatives of the cyclists and the residents of the Cradle area is being arranged for Wednesday 20 January 2010. You are invited to attend and in this regard you may contact Garth Mes, whose contact details you have, to obtain details of the time and venue for the meeting. 8. If you are in contact with other residents in your area, you are requested to circulate this letter to all of them. 9. We trust that you will be guided accordingly and finally we record that this letter does not purport to be exhaustive of all the facts or circumstances relating to the aforesaid incident and/or other incidents. Our client?s rights are therefore fully reserved to deal with this matter in more detail and in the appropriate forum should this become necessary at a later stage. Yours faithfully

What amazes me is that cyclists are also potential clients when not cycling. They when not cycling must surely be clients with family and friends who attend these areas for business,weddings lunches etc,someone suggested to me why not boycot these conference centres and restaurantsas clearly we are not welcome

To make it clear for the last time 2 riders were riding 2 a breast (as mentioned by metro appropiate riding formation and i in the middle in a sort of triangle formation.We were going down hill . As many of you i am road captain for cycle4 kids ,and cycle lab year end ride to durban and PE to CT and will know that safty is paramount in my books. This Mr X is back pedalling. Once again if we were riding 3 a breast preforming this hidioius crime Mr X could have come behind us hooted once and we would have apologised and moved over,thats if we were riding 3 a breast or in the middle of the road on a blind rise. Mr X would have waited for a tractor ,bus,truck that was in his way im sure.

Strange Garth i remember having a meeting with you and Ian at Design square and as a result of that meetings were made at Teak place,I did not attend due to health reason. We were 3 riders and not riding 3 a breast,and were not on a blind rise but in fact going down hill,and i really dont care if i was riding in the middle of the road which we were not,it does not give this maniac the right to try and ride us over,as we argued on the phone. Its a shame that our (me and you)understanding of the situation has turned sour.

Cycle lab has been involved with the residents for a while now and have had meetings with them,in fact Andrew m has been to several meetings,so get your facts before you post your comments. Cycle lab had a meeting again last night with all its marshalls to discuss safty and cradle route.

No i was not alone,with 2 other riders,both very well respected in cycoing circles

Mr ples,i phoned Mr X and asked if it was him that nearly ran us over and without hesitation said yes,. I for one certainly appriciate your work and will donate R1000.00 just send me your details on pvt mail. That all said im not going to be intimidated by residents who threaten my safty any further,a meeting has been set up again with the residents for next week and i will attend. Furthermore a charge has been laid, and my lawyer is drafting a letter to be sent to Mr X,so that if he continues in this manner there will be consequinces. Cyclists are not going away so lets try and sort this out,it will not happen over night i can assure you. Im not prepared to look over my shoulder every time i hear a car approaching in fear of mr X or Y orZ

Okay not threated as in verbal but in missing us by a ball hair with his hand on hooter traveling at high speeds,with no other cars in the area. When i phoned him he really does not care,and admitted to his antics,im NOT standing for it any longer,these residents do not have the right to threaten my safty ,rightly or wrongly.

Was riding this morning with some team mates on cradle route,we were riding as far left as possible as there is no hard shoulder,and we were deleberatly being threatened by Dave from Brookwood trout farm,I have now had enough of the cradle residents putting my (our ) lives at risks.When i phoned him to ask if it was him that nearly took us out he said yes,and so what.Most of you also know that I have been at the fore front with the cradle residents trying to sort this on going problem out,there are no quick easy solutions which it seems like the residents want. He (Dave) is getting a lawyers letter today for the records that if he ever knocks down anyone in the future he will face charges of attempted murder. Im so sick and tired of the cradle residents thinking they own this stretch of road,my team mates and i are most probally the most safty conscience riders around and this David has no right what so ever to put my life at risk by sceaming past us hand on hooter and missing us by 2cm in his marked Isuzu double cab.If anyone else has had any incedents with David let me know in the future. Further more the residents are planning a road blocade this weekend to prevent us from using a public road specifically designed for cyclists so pitch up in your numbers,but beware threats have been made. Please no threats are to be made ,i will send a lawyers letter at my cost to David. Mark Thijs

Firstly thanks for all the support for choc an amazing amount off 97k was raised by yourselves. I have just come out off hospital and another tumor has been found,so we will continue to fight this thing.

As mentioned previously we said we would keep you update on the cradleroute,and since there has been a huge amount of mud slinging since this last weekend here goes. Myself ,Andrew and Ian Jones had a meeting a few weeks ago with the said cradleresident where the issues were discussed,we agreed to arrange a second meeting with ourselves ,central gauteng and other parties for the 18th of November,to try and move forward,things were all on line until now,the reacton from the residents is now as follows,"going to meetings to hear about the problum is not helping anybody.All that is going to happen,is that promises are made,and a follow up meeting scheduled that never happens. Residents are not interested in the structure,politics and the ins and out of cycling" So that been said things are off for now,i suggest u remain polite,keep left,and ride 2 a breast (rightly or wrongly)self policing is the best option ,no one person or club can police this area, you are all responsible for yourselves Mark Thijs

So now you know the problums that Andrew myself and Ian are trying to sort out. I believe every group has to self police themselves and have a dedicated marshall or lead rider that will tell his mates to behave themselves,it is impossible to control all the cyclists all the time,you are all responsible adults and behace assordingly

Until you have your facts about Choc,shut it,you r a confused little puppy. Just because u had a bad expierance with anther charity, does not mean they are all the same. Thats my last on it and will not respond to you again,this comes out of my heart,and no demands have been made to me whether i am allowed to ride in a cow suit or not. I will pray for you,your heart is at a bad place.