cpnet

Another bit of info ... Canadian retailers have to pay additional tariffs on many goods if they are not manufactured in North America. US Retailers often don’t have to pay the same level of tariffs on the same products. When a Canadian consumer buys a product from a US store (online or not) the tariffs are supposed to be added at the border, but very frequently the tariffs don’t get levied. The goal of these tariffs is to encourage Canadian consumers to buy North American-made products. But what we’ve ended up with is a situation where US retailers can buy (and thus sell) the same products more cheaply, and where inconsistent enforcement of tariffs encourages Canadian consumers to buy from US stores because it ends up being cheaper. I believe the statistic is that 90% of Canada’s populations lives within 2 hours of the US border, and with cheap international shipping and a strong Canadian dollar, things can be pretty challenging for Canadian retailers.

I’ve been doing as much purchasing as I can from local shops. A primary reason for this is because the local shops put a lot back into the town where I live, in a couple of ways. Money spent at shops with local ownership helps support the local economy. If you spend money at a store with staff and/or owners that live elsewhere, you’re taking money out of your own economy, and helping to grow someone else’s. Many small towns are struggling so money spent locally can make a significant difference. I’m assume at least some online stores with national/international markets support mountain biking at the national/international level, but I know my local shops invest a lot into local biking infrastructure (races, trails, events...). So although I may be spending a little more for the same product when I shop locally, I’m getting more back.

I can now access ryanleech.com without any problems. That's a pretty fast turn-around (and nice site BTW)!

I wanted to check out ryanleech.com, but Norton Internet Security on my PC is telling me it's a known malicious site and recommended I not visit the site. I'm guessing the site has been hacked and some malware has been placed there. Good article though!

As long as my leg/ankle holds up (broke my right fibula in the Whistler park this past September) I'll be ready. I need to redeem myself after last year's last place finish.