Ride Lugged

Consider some problems faced by Manzini Cyclery, a small U.S. maker of custom bicycles:

1) In December 2002, when the exchange rate was $1 per Euro, Manzini ordered parts for next year’s production from Campagnolo. They agreed to a price of 500,000 euros, to be paid when the parts were delivered in one year’s time. One year later, the exchange rate was $1.22 per euro. What was the actual cost in dollars for Manzini when the payment was due? If the price had instead been set at $500,000 (which had equivalent value at the time of the agreement), how many euros would Campagnolo have received?

2) In December 2002, banks were offering one-year currency forward contracts with a forward exchange rate of $0.987/€. Suppose that at that time, Manzini placed the order with Campagnolo with a price of 500,000 euros and simultaneously entered into a forward contract to purchase 500,000 euros at a forward exchange rate of $0.987/€ in December 2003. What payment would Manzini be required to make in December 2003?

Answers in the comments! Don’t cheat!

Sweat this: DC is the first city in Mmmerika to have a bike sharing program. Stockholm has had this for years already and it works quite well, though it seems to be used more by tourists than Sthlmers, who would presumably have their own bikes.

In honor of a bike that I really miss riding, here is a creepy montage of Merckx crashing.

To readers of this blog that may be concerned:

The poster known as 5dollarbud, aka a4nick8tor, aka Big Killa N, aka Golden Balls, aka Kung Fu Jimmy is currently on holiday in Prague, CZ.

He appologizes for not notifing sooner and wonders if it would be possible to meet any other posters on this blog before Thursday when he leaves.

He can be contacted at his usual email, or by his swedish mobile (+46 70 fourseveneight fourfouronetwo), or by calling the hotel (+420 296 889 688)

kthanks!

Just got back from London, where the above clip was shot in front of the robot rider in the “World’s Best Bike Department” at the famous Harrod’s department store in Knightsbridge. The audio is kinda muted. Basically I’m saying that the robot on the suburbo-cruiser is the best thing about the “bike department” that otherwise contains two of the stupid ass “ferrari bikes” and a few acres of designer spandex (read: prada sport polyester t-shirt: $400).

The hotel I stayed at (paid by school (!)) was next to the other famous department store, Selfridges, which also had a very half-assed bike section, albeit with a few decent fixed gear jim-jams from Wilier. Not sure why giant fashion stores in London think bikes should be part of their offering, not to get too business-schooly on you guys, but fancy suits and cycles aren’t exactly part of the same core competence.

Calfee claims its $3K bamboo bike will save the planet. Riding lugged makes mother earth cry.

“Bike Fetish Gave Man an ‘Overwhelming Sense of Calm’”

here it is in all its glory. one per customer.

spoke card for the ride spoken of below.

you will be there.

nick, get your ticket. or hide in cory’s baggage.

Got back from Beijing on Sunday. We saw this “Chinese Acrobat Show” the first night, tons of impressive acts, but the bike stunts were the grand finale.

Also FYI: The place is ridiculous, changes my whole perspective on “made in china.” I got measured for a tailormade suit on Friday about 5pm, and it was delivered to my hotel 24 hours later- completely handmade. For 1200 RMB ($160). This service doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. Not for any money in Milano or Saville row.

Had at nice ride to and around the Swedish island of Älgo last weekend. It’s in the very inner part of the Stockholm archipelago, a nice 15km from my place.

Also please admire my lovely new (to me) lugged celeste DBS “cykel.” It’s Norwegian, but has as an Italian heart. That’s Nanna’s burgundy lugged Nishiki mixte next to it in the top picture.