BendeBeer

? ? I think this is the smoking gun indeed. ? ? Lets see a list of attendees. If they responded to this invitation' date=' they knew why they were there. I'd also like to see a list of apologies or a list of people who didn't attend. This could tell us something about who the honest businesspeople may be. Some of course couldn't attend because their daughter featured in a school concert that night, but we have to give them the benefit of the doubt. ? Ben, do you have such info? ? ?[/quote'] I'm not an industry insider so all I know is what I've seen on the hub. I can however recognize a smoking gun if I see one

From: Fritz Pienaar [mailto:mm@firebreak.co.za] Sent: 17 September 2008 12:27 PM Subject: Minutes - margins in the bicycling industry Dear bicycle wholesaler and retailer, Thank you for your support and great response in making our industry more healthy. For those of you who were unaware of this meeting here is a quick refresher: "I am sure that most of you are aware that there are a lot of concerns in the retail bicycle industry. There is a lot of rumours about retail shops that are struggling and wholesalers that are not getting paid. This causes a lot of problems for everyone in the industry and I?m sure that you would agree that it is not a healthy position to be in. I have had numerous meetings with retail shops and wholesalers over the last couple of months and everyone seems to agree that the retail shops are not making enough profit and that something needs to be done about it. The bicycle wholesalers agree that a healthier retail industry would also allow for a healthier wholesale industry." We've had a great response from the meeting on 10th September 2008! With all the mayor bicycle wholesalers and retailers in Gauteng, we've all come to agreement that raising the margins is the resolution to the problem. It is of utmost importance that we sign-up and state that you support this decision, we need everyone?s support to be able to make this change and to be able to implement these changes right away. Click here to see the attendance of the meeting on 10th September 2008 Click here to see the meeting on 10th September 2008 minutes Please click here, to state if you are supportive of higher margins in the Bicycling Retail sector (We recommend that you read the minutes if you were not present at the meeting) Regards, Fritz Pienaar <?: PREFIX = SKYPE />083 275 2123 PS. Please forward this to all bike shops you know of, or wholesalers that did not attend.

I feel exactly the same about mine

"That these retailers believed they could act together to increase prices with impunity is shocking. The Commission intends to thoroughly investigate this apparently blatant attempt amongst competing retailers to collusively raise prices to unsuspecting consumers." (from the CC's news release) Tell me it ain't so Joe<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Not sure I agree with you but I like the way you're thinking

Isn't it funny how the CC chose to announce the formal investigation during the biggest week for Cycling in SA? Probably pure coincidence.

Hulle wat vir #$% soek soek selde tevergeefs...BendeBeer2009-03-05 09:13:57

don't forget about the landslide on Chappies forgot about that!

don't forget about the landslide on Chappies Oops forgot

Now please stop with all the predictions for WIND, BOYES DRIVE MAYHEM etc. You are starting to scare this Argus rookie (I want my mommy)

The sox issue - I used to wear the thick ones but I found my feet became numb after 3hrs on the road (so bad I had to stop on the fast one to readjust). I now use the thinnest ones possible (like runners) and it seems to have improved blood circulation. Still not sure whether I'm doing it right though

Thanks!

So my road bike's already on the way to Slaapstad and I wanted to do a bit of light spinning last night - I hooked up my MTB on the spinner but it sounded like a 50cc (which is not ideal when there's kids sleeping in the room next door. Should I bother changing the knobs to slicks tonight? Has anyone tried this - I'm too scared to risk JHB peak traffic during the week.BendeBeer2009-03-04 08:10:09

I've sent out my agreement of loss on an insurance claim to the assessors more than a month ago now - every time I phone its like "we'll check the system" - unacceptableBendeBeer2009-03-03 04:17:33

Goodie bag for Macsteel: 250ml Outsurance Water Proteen Feed shampoo for men sampler Heel balm sampler Pack or raisins And my favourite: 1 sachet of Knorrox soy stew! BendeBeer2009-02-20 05:10:51

There is probably another couple of cheaters on the local circuit... The problem is that if they get caught not only they will be punished but the whole sport will suffer. Sponsors tend to vote with their feet when their this happens. Stupid stupid stupid. I consider this a type of fraud and we need laws to put these people in jail for the serious/repeat offenders. Also, why not institute life bans or five year bans? Like in cricket - if you cheat you get banned for life (e.g. hansie)? Yet guys like Basso get welcomed back after two year like nothing happened. I would not like my boys to get involved in pro cycling. BendeBeer2009-02-13 12:33:34

I just bought my second pair of first ascent endurance - works well for me and I'm well over 100kg's

I had the same problem using gym gloves - The problem has now gone away totally through a combination of improved fitness and a pair of R400 specialized gloves with gel, @#$% body geometry whatever but most imporantly a special area that takes the preassure of the ulnar nerve at the bottom corner of your palm - which causes the pins and needles. Whatever you do though get rid of the gym gloves and get cycling gloves of whatever make... BendeBeer2009-02-10 01:21:30