I went to see Maxine Peake’s play ‘Beryl’ at the Rose Theatre, Kingston last night. West Yorkshire Playhouse’s production of the story of the best woman cyclist ever was very well done. Some of you may have heard the radio play of it on the BBC a couple of years ago, but it’s much better on the stage. A most enjoyable evening – recommended! It’s got a few more days to run – till this Saturday.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is still promising heavy rain, high winds, and even the possibility of snow on higher ground.
I have therefore decided to postpone the ride by a day, to Thursday 10th March, all other details to remain the same. I appreciate that it will not suit all, some plan their weeks to make sure they can cycle on Wednesday but cannot manage Thursdays, but I really feel that there will not be too much disappointment at missing out on the wind and the rain.
I shall be at the start (I may be a touch late, commitments for first thing in the morning, so please just wait for me) and will lead the 3’s and the 4’s; it is a relatively flat ride, so that should be fine. At the moment I do not have definite ride leaders for the 1’s and 2’s, but please feel confident in turning up, I will try to arrange something suitable on the day. At the very least you should be meeting up with friends and be able to go on a social ride together, not an organised West Surrey one, so it might be more important for you to bring a map (or GPS).
John
The weather forecast for tomorrow is currently dire, heavy rain for most if not all of the day, and high winds. I cannot believe that there will be much demand for a ride, and would not want to require leaders to turn up in such conditions. Of course, riders may wish to go out on their own, and there is also the possibility of postponing the rides for a day, to Thursday. I should be able to lead the 4’s that day, at this stage I cannot guarantee any further ride leaders.
Of course, the forecast might change, I will monitor the situation, and will post a further note, with a decision and update, late this evening or first thing Wednesday. Please make sure you look for this before heading out (in the rain).
John
A reminder that the annual dinner takes place tomorrow. Bookings have now closed, and we have 65 attendees, which is wonderful support for the evening. I have just sent an e-mail to all who have booked to confirm arrangements. If you think that you have booked, and do not receive an e-mail shortly, please contact me direct.
John
On Thursday last week the retail trade press was reporting that Wiggle had made an offer to buy ChainReactionCycles. On Friday the deal was reported as done. Wiggle is owned by Bridgepoint Capital (if memory serves me right) – a private equity company. Wiggle has a stated objected of becoming a £1bn revenue business – currently about £170-£180m revenue. ChainReactionCycles is family owned and has a slightly smaller revenue – about £150m.
Wiggle has voluntarily referred the deal to the Competition & Markets Authority (used to be called the Competition Commission) but they do not believe the CMA will object as very significant proportions of both their revenues come from overseas. Apparently the CMA will review the deal but the usual rule of thumb is that the CMA would block the deal or would require significant divestitures if the combined market share was in excess of 20-25% on the grounds of a reduction in competition. Although the market size for the bicycle & bicycle kit market is very hard to come by (and presumably the swim and triathlon markets ditto) I cannot see the CMA do anything other that give the deal a green light. Halfords is thought to have a 25% market share of the bike market.
The process is expected to take 5 months before the deal can be closed.
Personally I think it would be a great shame if they did merge as these two are the most competitive in the marketplace. This will leave Amazon – which has massively increased its cycling ranges of late – as a key competitor (and its not often in my line of business that we talk of Amazon in that way – usually it is the aggressor. Most of the other websites I use have relatively limited ranges. I will be watching this deal very closely.