Death Ride

I just did the Death Ride over the weekend. What an adventure. It was the hardest century I'd done.
I didn't train as much as I should have -- about 500 miles during the prior three weeks -- but it was enough to ensure that I finished. It took about 11 hours (including rest/fueling times) to complete 129 miles and 16,000 feet of climbing.

I'd heard about this ride for a while and never thought I'd ever be ready. Well, at times, you just have to say: "What else do I have to do that Saturday?" So -- don't put anything off - just do it! You may surprise yourself.

 

Comments

[Dave]

Bambi - Death ride? I'll be lucky if I can get the family up Mt. Whitney?

Best regards,

Dave

[Alan]

Bambi,

It was great to see you at the top of the final climb of the Deathride. You were looking strong for someone who was close to finishing a 129 mile ride with 16,000 feet of climbing.

Keep enjoying your summer riding right into your exciting October Marketwatch cruise.

Alan

[Alan Kardoff]

Hi Bambi: There should be a contest with three winners for the conference you are speaking at in the Fall. You'd get lots of names.

I gave up TV for a cable modem. I can find news summaries very easily on the Internet. I can't find an Internet ESPN, that reviews scores and
highlights periodically, with standing boards
and even some games put over the Internet. Now I will sometimes watch the changes in scores
of an NBA or NFL game. So, an interactive
sports unit could help.

There are scores of polls on the election.
I saw an AP poll change its headlines at least three times on Yahoo today. With the first healding I voted a 1/5 as the score, not realizing a second headline might be used.
So, a summary of election poll results on the national & possibly State levels--as they
affect the Federal govt might be provided.
I refer to Congess, Senate and Governors.

There are so many different polls, one has to ask "Who's on First." This might be an interim
step for Yahoo that isn't seemingly otherwise done on the Internet.

These are two thoughts. Please share your
personal episodes. Your writing is superb and I
admire the financial analysis skills.

Thank you.

Alan D. Kardoff, Palm Bay FL

[Highland]

OMG. I got tired just looking at the Death Ride website.

I knew you were in good shape, but DAM, that's impressive.

[Julio]

Barbie, congrats. Someone mentioned the Marketwatch cruise. Can you guys do it with one of the major cuise companies next time.

[Joshua Wachs]

Congrats on the ride and the writing. Keep up the great work.

-- Joshua

[Shawn]

Sorry,

What on earth is the death ride? I'm assuming it's a Lance Armstrong type ride.

Can you post some links?

Thanks,
Shawn

[Ed]

Hey Bam... congratulations!!! What an amazing accomplishment. What's next? :- D

[Brian]

Testament to your stamina! WTG!

[Dawn]

Kumusta na! Sana ay nasa mabuting kang kalagayan. Naiintindihan mo ba ang sinabi ko :)

[uhoothegossip]

When the Google deal is done, it accomplishes two important things: 1- establishs a true public value for the owners estates and, 2- gives Microsoft an idea of what it would cost. It would add cash flow for MSFT, instant domination + search technology and sop up excess MSFT cash. Seems like a good fit ( after it settles into a reasonable value).

[leo]

The Google IPO looks much too expensive for me. While I understand that I can get some through Schwab, I'm going to pass. Don't have a feeling for what should happen since the offering will come out so high. I'm thinking I will load up on some ASKJ and YHOO stock and watch it pulled along and hopefully take some profits.
Congrats on the Death Ride. It never even occurred to me that there could be such a challenging event. At 61 I could only dream ...

[Matt]

Bambi,
I have always that there must be a reason why you stand out.
You're attractive, but there are a lot of good-looking people on TV.
You provide well-reasoned, thoughtful analysis on arcane business and technology matters, and even though this is not common, there are others who manage to regularly provide thought-provoking commentary.
You perservered on a crushing mountain ride, with 5 climbs the Tour would categorize as four or better, but even this is not unheard of as the woman who dropped me this weekend in the Headlands and bruised my fragile male ego proved.
But then I read your bio and in the last line, read that you are studying for your M. Theology. Now I know what sets you apart!

Best wishes and keep it coming!

[Ed]

Wow! Looks like God worked overtime on you but I'm definitely not complaining! A well rounded personality with a petite figure and a beautiful face - what more can one ask for? Greatly appreciate all your thoughtful commentaries - do keep them coming.

[David Berkowitz]

Congrats on the Death Ride!

As for the IPO, my take is Google doing the auction ('for the little guy') and then pricing shares so outrageously is like a veteran rock group saying they're going on tour for the fans and the cheapest tickets are $500. A lot of fans will skip it, and the average investor will be priced out.

Bottom line: Google can value itself however it likes, but it should be up front and not masquerade as the 'people's IPO.'

[Jorge Chen]

Hi Bambi,

Death ride? That sounds exciting...But I know what you mean...sometimes you gotta 'JUST DO IT'. I finished the San Diego marathon in 4 hrs 7 mins with only 2 weeks of training...not smart but hey...it was a blast.

Keep your stories going...they are awesome! I enjoy reading the Google one this morning.

Blessings,

JC

[Rob]

Sounds like you might be ready for the Tour... maybe now you too can appreciate the feats of Lance Armstrong, if you already hadn’t.

Rob

[rich]

Bambi,

hello,

I've read your insightful articles for some time now and I believe that Google's IPO is unorthodox as it is insane for them to hustle investors into buying into a $130 plus dollar IPO that is very likely to be headed due south.

Unfortunately, investors have always learned lessons the hard way.

By 'opening' up the IPO to the general public they cover their ass by the backlash they would certainly have received from people who would say this was yet another deal that was for the exclusive 'clubby' clients of top Wall Street firms.

GOOGLE management is going to get top dollar for their company. No question. Hence the auction process. They know they have a great company on their hands, and they will squeeze every dollar out from whoever wants in. This in turn will take out any upside the market would have given them in the aftermarket. This is a no brainer.

It's really downright pathetic how these people are chasing after every dime. No wonder Merrill Lynch dropped itself from the deal. They know it's a bad deal for investors and there is no money to be made..unless you happen to be GOOGLE mgmt or an employee.

After all that's happened to America, the stock market and all the lousy news that's still out there today, there is no break to catch. Just ones to avoid.

-peace

[pierre]

Hey Bambi, when two of crazy buddies told me they were going to ride in this century I figured I couldn't possibly know any one else crazy enough to be there w/them. Well, I now stand corrected. Congrats on making that happen and next time I'll make sure to get a crew out there cheering you on! :-)

It also appears you're a trend setter. Until you started Google IPO-bashing was almost non-existent, now every one's doin' it ;-)

Looking forward to your next column.

Cheers,.../p

[David]

My sister (a stunt woman) would do triathelons and events like the Death Ride to promote herself. I don't know why anyone would do such damage for fun!

I love your insightful writing on the tech world.
The Google IPO is very interesting. I would not buy stock at the first offering, not because of the share price but the fact that the percentage of the company being sold is so low.

Looking forward to reading more of your columns.

David

[Jim Ausman]

What is Google going to do if there is only enough interest to sell the stock at $40/share?

Will they pull the IPO? Can they pull the IPO? Are they obliged to go through with it, even if they don't get as much money as they would like from the Dutch Auction process?

Congratulations on finishing the Death Ride. Quite a feat.

[blah]

Nice picture!

As for the Google IPO: I am a beginning investor. I signed up for a bidder ID, hoping to maybe bid for this. I was required to fill out an investor profile before proceeding. Lo and behold, I was denied eligibility. Google claims they are doing the Dutch auction process to let the little guy in on this IPO. My ass.

[Wretched]

Yes, as some have said Google is doing this for themselves. So? Do they have some sort of obligation to help speculators makes a killing? I don't *think so!! Duh... so, no wonder some of the stock market "professionals" don't like it.
It seems suited only to serious, long-term investors. Would *I buy it at these prices? Maybe I'd wait a little while, its not going anywhere real fast!

[bindu reddy]

Umm... I like the "just do it" philosophy, but I would also say, one has to look before making the leap or should I say taking the 'ride' ;).

That is one lesson the dot.com bust has thought me.

I live in the Bay Area, as well and kind of met up the CBS marketwatch, columnist Mike Tarsala, one time at a party.

Mail, me if you want to chat and get a drink sometime. Anyways, Have Fun and Good Luck with your column on CBS Marketwatch.

Bindu

[paul]

Bambi,

I did put in a bid on the ipo. 10 shares at $90(which would make me a minor investor, but considering the shares have the equivalent of 1 share of voting rights of a class b shares, I'd be even smaller). I would be surprised if I actually get shared in the IPO, but you never know what those underwriters have in mind.

Why would anyone buy into an IPO if there's no pop or potential upside?

paul