News for December 26
HOW TO INVEST??
BY: Kenneth S. Manning, PhD
Stock Index
In order to more closely track the health of the cycling industry, I
have designed the Big Wall Cycling Stock Index. It is comprised of
those companies that have direct impact on the cycling industry,
either as manufacturers or as sponsors. The stocks chosen are meant
to be the largest players in the cycling world. However, I must
restrict the Index to those stocks listed and sold in America,
otherwise it would take me hours to compile each week. Very few in
this Index are actually cycling industry stocks. Sorry, but there
just aren't enough to make a decent index all by themselves. I apply
a weighting factor that I consider proprietary, and as such it is my
secret. As the times change, the Index will be updated to keep pace.
You might well think some other stocks should be represented here,
and, if so, I'd like a kindly note giving me the name, symbol, URL,
and the reason it should be added. Also, I am not interested in
adding a stock because they happen to sponsor your local team.
Unneedless [sic] to say, this Index is not intended to supply
investing advice, and anyone fool enough to take it as such is
entirely on their own. Unless it goes up, then I get credit.
Copyright (c) by Kenneth S. Manning PhD; Schenectady NY; 1995-96.
However, many years ago I found the Big Wall Cycling picture above=7F
on an anonymous article, and I owe a debt of gratitude to the
original artist, whoever that might be, copyrighted or not. The
company names and logos are used without their permission, but I
can't imagine that Dow Jones had to ask for permission either. In
any event, those names and logos are the property of their
respective owners. Indeed.
Shown below is the progress of the Big Wall Cycling Stock Index for
the last year, normalized to an arbitrary initial baseline value of
100.
As of December 15, 1995
[Index history chart]
The Current Values for the BWCSI
Coors Bell Huffy KMart DuPont GM GT
21.25 8.25 11.375 6.375 69.125 50.5 9.25
Cannondale CocaCola CoreStates Motorola Novell Volvo
16.5 78.625 38.125 57.25 15.25 19.875
BWCSI
157.4
**
Individual Stock Charts
Bi-weekly comments
**
I will be making changes (eliminating ex-sponsors; adding
neo-sponsors) to the Index after January 1st.
**
The Stocks
[ In alphabetical order, with stock market symbols, and WWW links
to the company (or as close by as possible), if available. Some
stocks have one year history charts through StockMaster at the
M.I.T. Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
* Bell Sports [BSPT] Along with Montgomery Securities they sponsor
one of America's pro teams. They also co-sponsor many other teams
and individuals, including at one time myself. And, most
importantly, a Bell helmet has saved my life.
* Cannondale [BIKE] Bicycle and accessories manufacturers, and
co-sponors (with Volvo) of a top pro mountain bike team.
* Coca Cola Company [KO] Sponsors of the Tour de France, the Fresca
Cup, and a lot of other stuff. Usually very active in the Olympics
in general, though not necessarily cycling in particular.
* Coors [ACCOB] Maybe they aren't as active now as they used to be,
but they arguably did more for cycling at a crucial time than any
other company. They made the Red Zinger into the Coors Cycling
Classic, and they had the powerhouse Coors Light Cycling Team for
many years. I anticipate that they will be back. I hope so.
* Corestates Financial [CFL] The sponsors of the U.S. National
Professional Road Championships.
* DuPont [DD] Ah, the Tour DuPont, just about all we have left
since the demise of the Coors Classic. A great showcase for
American geography and hospitality.
* General Motors [GM], Sponsors of the LA Sheriff Pro Team and the
Saturn Pro Team
* GT Bicycles [GTBX] Builders of fine racing bicycles, and sponsors
of the US National Road Team, and of Juli Furtado and the GT
Mountain Bike Team.
* Huffy Corporation [HUF] One of the few bicycle manufacturers on
the list and a former sponsor (at least in name) of the 7-Eleven
team.
* Kmart [KM] They bring us the West Virginia stage race that rivals
the Tour duPont for American Cycling exposure and spectacular
scenery. However, they have announced they will not be sponsors
next year, and will be removed from the Index beginning January
1st.
* Motorola [MOT] Well, if you're not sure why they're in the Index
there's little I can tell you.
* Novell [NOVL] Another one of the international racing team
sponsors. However, they have announced they will not be sponsors
next year, and will be removed from the Index beginning January
1st.
* Volvo [VOLVY] Co-sponsors, with Cannondale, of Tinker Juarez and
Missy Giove. And Alison Sydor, but she combs her hair so she's not
as well known.
*****
Copyright (c) 1995 by Kenneth S. Manning, PhD. All rights reserved.
Including the right to be wrong and/or irreverant.
As of December, 18, 1995
[Index history chart]
September 29, 1995:
As you can see, the industry, as reflected by the BWCSI, is
booming. Now I do wish I'd invested in it. Man, a 53% increase in
one year is good for any index, and has certainly outpaced the
NYSEI, Dow Jones, the Russell 500, and Aunt Mabel's Tea Leaves and
Bunion Index.
October 13, 1995:
Well, the World Championships, won by a Spaniard riding for Mapei
(I said it was Banesto earlier- sorry) has caused a significant
sell-off in Novell. Motorola, however, was up very strongly for the
two weeks. I believe this is because the King of Spain (do they
have one?) spoke with the Banesto team on a Motorola Cellular phone
before and after the race. Kmart was down a little bit less, and I
can only assume this is because they don't carry Pinarellos. I'm
sure the Kmart buyer is out there right now looking into this. Bell
was down because pros don't wear helmets.
October 27, 1995
Added this week to the Index is Cannondale [BIKE], a name every one
in cycling must know, and CocaCola [KO], a name every one in the
world must know. Since the Index is still so young I simply backed
these two stocks into the entire one year history. It turned out
that there was an almost negligible effect of doing so.
What has changed is the value of the Index. From a high in
mid-August of 169 it has dropped faster than Indurain's heart rate
to 142 this week (Indurains heart rate! That gives me an idea for
another Index...). When I look at the stocks prices individually I
see the culprits are mainly Kmart (off 5 points), Motorola (off
13), and Novell (off 4.5). The only issues that were up in this
time were Coke (up 5) and Coors (up less than 1). I believe the
market is reflecting disatisfaction with the new Motorola and
Novell rosters for 1996. Now, I don't know what's going on with
Novell, so this is evidently insider trading, but I do know (from
rec.bicycles.racing) that Steve Bauer has not been re-signed with
Motorola. That in itself is enough to pound any stock down. Steve
Bauer should be a lifetime member of all teams he's been on.
Kmart's down because, well, it's Kmart, isn't it. Of monumental
significance is that the two beverage stocks are the only ones to
go up in this roadrash slide of the Index. What is that
significance? I don't know, but it's monumental!
November 10, 1995
New to the Index this week is GT Bicycles [GTBX], a company that
has only been publicly held for a few months (that's why there's no
individual chart for them yet).
Well, it was a good two weeks for Novell (I wonder who they
signed...), and most everyone else remained fairly even. However,
the Index was down overall because of poor performances by Kmart
and Volvo. I hope this rough time for Kmart doesn't spell the end
of their sponsorship of the West Virginia Stage Race. Rumors flying
around are that Volvo has been sued by Tinker Juarez' hair-dresser
because Volvo refused to make their cars six inches wider to
accomodate Tinker's hair. Don't believe me? Check for yourself!
November 24, 1995
Wow, a pretty good two weeks here. The Index as a whole is up 8%,
being lead by Coors, DuPont, and GM. Coors is probably up because
their Winterfest beer should be out now. DuPont makes Lycra
bodysuits for Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders masquerading as elves on
Bob Hope Christmas specials. And GM signed Steve Bauer to its
Saturn squad for '96.
Taking a pounding this time around is Cannondale (down 13%),
Motorola (off 9%), and Novell (down 7%). Rumor has it that
Cannondale is being sued by Tinker Juarez because their tubing is
bigger than his hair. Novell's getting out of the cycling biz
(their loss but they weren't asking me), and Motorola is rumored to
have signed nothing but rookies for next year. Even those riders
they signed who are not rookies are now rookies. I know this
because I read it on rec.bicycles.racing and those guys are never
wrong.
December 15, 1995
The Index was up a bit over the last three weeks, but in spite of
the efforts of Motorola, Kmart, Novell, and Volvo to drag it down.
Obviously, the investing community is not at all happy with the
decision by Novell (down 5%) and Kmart (down 20%) to quit cycling
sponsorship. Motorola is not making favored decisions as the new
rosters emerge. I think the Market is still angry that they let
Steve Bauer go, even though by no that news should be factored in.
There has been a parallel move up in the precious metals market
that can only be seen as the loss of some gold by the big players.
Bell Sports has stabilized, mostly due to the fact that they are
distancing themselves from the butt-ugliest jersey ever seen in
cycling (as Velo$nooze concurred with their recent Year-end
awards).
Strong advances continue to be made by Coke, DuPont, GM, and even
Cannondale is making a comeback. Cannondale is rumored to be
striking a co-sponsorship agreement with SuperCuts to manage Tinker
Juarez's hair. The Market is skeptical that anything other than the
full corporate backing by Toro Lawn Mowers will help.
Source: Kenneth S. Manning, PhD.
COPPI RESTAURANTS
WASHINGTON
A resturant in Washington, DC dedicated to F. Coppi and his career.
This is a contribution from James Leon McArdle:
I thought you might want to know of a resturant in Wash, DC
dedicated to F. Coppi and his career. It is located on "U"st NW
between 15th and 16th streets. The walls are literally covered with
photos and clippings of him. They serve Good traditional (american)
italian food with a few trendy style pizzas as well.
Coppi's, 1414 U St. NW, Washington, DC (the zip code I think is
20009) USA Phone #: (202) 319-7773
TORONTO, ON, CANADA
Toronto has had for many years a first class Coppi Restaurant.
There are numerous Coppi memorabilia on display, including one of
the Campionissimo's bikes.
They serve Good traditional (Italian) Italian food, and if you want
to get thrown out, ask them for a Pizza!!!
Be prepared to pay, though; good food is not cheap!!
Coppi Ristorante
3363 Yonge Street
416.484.4464
England is hotter than Sardinia
As proof that the car is the incarnation of Lucifer; from today's
electronic telegraph (British newspaper):
Power chief 'damaged bike after exchange of V-signs' By Paul
Stokes
AN EXECUTIVE with National Power shouted abuse and made V-signs
at a cyclist before getting out of his Mercedes and attacking
him, a court heard yesterday.
Malcolm Borthwick, 52, NP's construction manager, is claimed to
have damaged the gear mechanism, dented the frame and bent the
forks of Chris Stewart's =3DFA650 racing bicycle in the incident.
Devizes magistrates were told that Borthwick appeared to become
enraged when he passed Mr Stewart, who was on a triathlon
training session with his girlfriend, Emma Fishlock.
Mr Stewart, 21, said Borthwick shook his fist and made a V-sign
as he overtook them near Avebury, Wilts. He claimed that he
responded with a wave and a V-sign before Borthwick stopped his
company car in the middle of the road. "He was screaming
obscenities. He was very aggressive and I was stunned and
surprised by his action"
Mr Stewart, of Marlborough, Wilts, said: "I could see that
something was going to happen. He was obviously upset at
something at the time but I am not sure what. He was screaming
obscenities. He was very aggressive and I was stunned and
surprised by his action."
Mr Stewart said Borthwick ran back, shouting abuse, then grabbed
him by the arm and chest and pushed him and his bicycle over. He
allegedly fell on to the verge, striking his helmet on a fence
and damaging his cycle.
Mr Stewart denied a suggestion from Peter Codner, defending, that
he made a "well-known gesture" to Borthwick. Miss Fishlock, 21, a
student, from Mildenhall, Wilts, said she cycled past the
Mercedes as Borthwick stopped. She saw her boyfriend lying on the
verge and Borthwick said: "If I ever see you again I will chuck
you and your f***ing boyfriend in that field and I will kill
you."
Borthwick, from Marlborough, denies causing criminal damage
totalling =3DFA5=3D 15 to the Orbit bicycle. The case continues.
Subject: Re: Indurain the best biker of all time
As someone who has followed cycling for a number of years, I've got
to say something here. The problem with Indurain is that he is
insanely dull. He is a truly great rider, sure, and obviously the
Spanish are very proud of him, but even in Spain there are those
who are less than ecstatic about his style of riding. Furthermore,
there is no doubt that he does only support a fraction of the
calendar. God, he doesn't even compete in his own national tour.
An obsession with the Tour will always bring criticism, imagine if
top tennis stars only played in the US Championships. Think how
sponsors would react to the other events, and how that would affect
the sport overall.
You can only judge a rider by his performances against his
contemporaries, and in no way can Indurain be said to have
outclassed his in the style of a Merckx or a Coppi. Do you
seriously think if it was all Merckx had set himself to do, he
wouldn't have won 5 in a row? Here's a man who actually gave up
such a chance, in order to ride in both the Giro, and guess what,
the Vuelta in 1973. It's ironic that the man who is helping to
destroy that race by his refusal to participate in it is himself a
Spaniard.
Anyone wanting to get an idea of the sheer brilliant
remorselessness of Merckx should get a copy of Jorgen Leth's film
"Stars and Water Carriers" (available on video). Coppi is not so
well served, but if you look at his record, you can see a
glittering and varied contribution to the sport the like of which
Indurain is now to old to come near matching.
In 5 Tour victories, Indurain has provided the world with only one
truly great stage win outside a time trial. How many stages has he
won, how many times has he ever set the race alive, even in the
manner of say Virenque or Jalabert this year? Year after year, he
rides like a miser, and he bores people to death. Here is a man
who is clearly better than everyone else, but who hardly ever
bothers to show this. He had his chance to do so, when he had
Rominger on the rack in '93, that year in the Alps to join the
likes of Eddie, he had to blow Rominger away. What happen, he let
Rominger win two stages in a row. How can anyone say such a person
is the greatest? People will defend Merckx, because he gave 10
times more to the sport than Indurain will do if he races to the
age of 60. He may have been a Cannibal, but at least he gave the
world something to be inspired by.
Nevertheless, I'm glad that Indurain has won his 5 Tours because he
was the best, and personally he seems a fine man, but can you
really say your looking forward to his next (undoubted) success?
When the Tour comes round next year, you just know that (unless
your totally biased) the Tour is going to inspire only one
emotion... Yawn.
Steve M
From: User Name <@Bradford.ac.uk>
1996 Northern Cal/Nevada schedule as of 12/14/95
(note * designates out-of-district event,
P designates probable Prestige Road Trophy event)
January
1 Mon Mount San Bruno Hillclimb San Bruno (415)345-5616
7 Sun Early Bird Criterium Fremont (209)533-4996
14 Sun Early Bird Criterium Fremont (209)533-4996
21 Sun Early Bird Criterium Fremont (209)533-4996
28 Sun Early Bird Criterium Fremont (209)533-4996
February
3 Sat Patterson RR Patterson (209)533-4996
4 Sun Early Bird Criterium Fremont (209)533-4996
10 Sat Livermore Hills RR Livermore (510)937-3204
11 Sun Cherry Pie Crit Napa (707)252-0708
17 Sat Pine Flat RR Fresno (209)533-4996
18 Sun Dinuba Crit Dinuba (209)533-4996
19 Mon Reedley Crit Reedley (209)533-4996
24 Sat Snelling RR Snelling (209)533-4996
25 Sun Merced Crit Merced (209)533-4996
March
2 Sat Camelia/O'Neils Crit Sacramento (916)386-9616
3 Sun Camelia/O'Neils Circuit R Sacramento (916)386-9616
* 7-10 Th-Su Redlands SR Redlands
9 Sat Butterfly Crit Pacific Grove
9 Sat Livermore Hills RR Livermore (510)937-3204
10 Sun Santa Cruz Classic Crit Santa Cruz (209)533-4996
P 16 Sat Maclane-Pacific RR Snelling (209)722-1541
17 Sun Maclane-Pacific Crit Merced (209)722-1541
23 Sat SRAM Sea Otter Classic Monterey (415)306-1414
* 23 Sat Exeter RR Exeter (209)782-8210
24 Sun Pinole TTT Pinole (510)527-3222
* 24 Sun Visalia Crit Visalia (209)782-8210
P 30 Sat Wine Country RR Santa Rosa (707)528-3283
31 Sun Wine Country Crit Santa Rosa (707)528-3283
April
* 3-7 We-Su Tour of Willamette
P 6 Sat Copperopolis RR Milton (209)533-4996
P 11-14 Th-Su Madera County Stage Race Madera (209)533-4996
13-14 Sa-Su Madera County Stage Race Madera (209)533-4996
13 Sat Livermore Hills RR Livermore (510)937-3204
P 20 Sat Wente Brut RR Livermore
21 Sun Wente Brut Crit Livermore
* 25-28 Th-Su Vuelta de Bisbee Bisbee,AZ
P 27 Sat Pope Valley RR Napa (707)963-7736
28 Sun Dunlap Memorial TT Yolo (916)756-0186
May
P 4 Sat Saroyan RR Fresno (209)533-4996
5 Sun Saroyan Crit Fresno (209)298-3577
11 Sat Cat's Hill Crit Los Gatos (408)252-6854
P 12 Sun Berkeley Hills RR Orinda (510)527-3222
18 Sat Travis TT Travis AFB (707)448-2122
19 Sun Tour of Sausalito Crit Sausalito (415)332-3050
* 19 Sun Paris-Lorraine RR (centra Lorraine (209)533-4996
* 19 Sun Men's National Championsh Seattle, WA
* 22 Wed Women National Championsh
* 23 Thu Men's National Championsh West VA
* 24 Fri Women National RR West VA
25-27 Sa-Mo Ebbetts Pass Masters Week Bear Valley,CA(209)533-4996
25 Sat Regional Cup Track Race
* 25-27 Sa-Mo Best of the West Stage Ra Oregon (541)488-2453
* 26-1 Su-Sa Road Olympic trials West VA
P 26 Sun Mt Hamilton RR San Jose (916)287-7522
27 Mon San Jose Criterium San Jose (916)287-7522
June
1 Sat Turlock Crit Turlock (209)668-6763
2 Sun Apricot Festival Crit Patterson (209)551-9860
* 4-9 Tu-Su Olympic Trials - Track Trexlertown,PA
8 Sat Wheels of Thunder Crit Pleasanton (510)462-2626
9 Sun Petaluma Crit Petaluma (707)778-1360
15 Sat District TT Championships Sattley (702)885-7352
15 Sat Tour of Nevada City Nevada City (916)265-8122
15 Sat Tour de Nez Reno (702)786-2943
16 Sun Tour of Nevada City Nevada City (916)265-8122
* 18-30 Tu-Su Powerbar Women's Challeng Idaho (208)345-7223
19-23 We-Su Masters Road Nationals Santa Rosa, CA
23 Sun DeAnza Crit Santa Clara (408)255-2199
29 Sat Alto Velo Morgan Hill Cri Morgan Hill (415)949-5233
* 29-7 Sa-Su Junior Nationals (road&tr Kenosha, WI
30 Sun Burlingame Criterium Burlingame (415)345-5616
July
4 Thu Davis July 4th Criterium Davis (916)756-0186
P 6 Sat Leesville Gap RR Leesville (209)533-4996
P 7 Sun Dunnigan RR Dunnigan (209)533-4996
* 9-13 Tu-Sa Cascade Cycling Classic Bend,OR
* 9-13 Tu-Sa Masters Track Nationals San Diego
13 Sat SCCC Monterey RR Ft Ord
14 Sun Downtown Morgan Hill Crit Morgan Hill (408)779-9444
20 Sat Carson Valley Classic RR Markleeville,CA(702)265-7052
21 Sun Carson Valley Classic Cri Gardnerville,NV(702)265-7052
27 Sat Watsonville Crit Watsonville (209)533-4996
28 Sun Berkeley Criterium Berkeley (510)527-3222
August
3 Sat Chevron Bay Trail Crit Oakland (415)664-0247
4 Sun Napa Grand Prix Crit Napa (707)963-7736
P 11 Sun State Championship RR Monterey(Ft Ord (209)533-4996
17-18 Sa-Su State Track Championships
17 Sat Redding Classic RR (916)223-5409
18 Sun Tympani Crit Cupertino (408)252-6854
24 Sat Walnut Creek Criterium Walnut Creek (209)533-4996
P 25 Sun Corral Hollow RR Tracy (209)533-4996
P 31 Sat San Ardo RR San Ardo (209)533-4996
September
P 1 Sun UC Santa Cruz RR Santa Cruz (209)533-4996
2 Mon Giro di San Francisco San Francisco (209)533-4996
8 Sun Redwood Road TT San Leandro (510)581-9479
15 Sun Mt Tamalpais Hillclimb Stinson Beach (415)381-6513=7F
January (97)
1 Wed Mount San Bruno Hillclimb San Bruno (415)345-5616
-------------------------------------------------
District Championship Events:
Road Race All classes 8/11 Fort Ord
Time Trial All classes 6/15 Sattley
Criterium Men,Women 9/2 Giro di S.F.
Criterium Mas Men 8/4 Napa Valley Classic
Criterium 3,4,J,W4,W Mas 6/8 Wheels of Thunder
Track Men,Women 8/16 Sprints
Track Men,Women,Masters 8/17-18 all other events
Track Men 8/23 Pts. Race
Track Men 8/30 Madison
Track Juniors 9/7
Cyclocross TBA
Source: Tom Simonson (510)848-3634 (simonson@ccnet.com)
More on Coppi
... More Placings - for 1954
1 al giro di Lombardia
1 alla coppa bernocchi
1 al Giro di Campania
1 al trofeo Baracchi
1 al circuito di Cagliari
2 al campionato d'Italia
2 alla Roma-napoli-Roma
2 al giro della provincia di Reggio Calabria
4 alla Milano-Sanremo
4 al Giro d'Italia
4 al Giro della Svizzera
6 al Campionato del Mondo
12 al Giro di Toscana
13 alla Milano-Mantova
abbandono alla Parigi -Nizza
Abbandono al Giro del Lazio
Abbandono alla Milano-Modena