Ignore the news!

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Lack of Demand is the problem


....the declining labor share of income is a decades-long phenomenon with many deep sources—capital efficiency, technology, globalization, the increased economic weight of the educated/highly skilled.

From Gave Kal

PS As this excellent piece of research shows we are in a difficult situation in the world. Big forces (Automation, Globalization, tech, etc….) are lowering the share of wages/labour  in the GDP vs capital/investor. Since it’s clear that people with less wealth (workers) tend to consume a greater share of their income we are seeing a lack of demand. The problem with the world is not a problem of lack of supply it’s a lack of demand. Even if rates are at zero why is someone going to build a new factory if the existing factories are working at half potential!

We are in a world with no top line growth (Next year you will sell a bit less)

Solutions to make money in this world:

1.Buy monopolies/Companies with big market share. They are robbing market share from the small players. They can grow in a shrinking market.
2.Companies that help cut costs/automate/outsourcing etc… These companies help to increase the margin.
3.Companies that have a unique product (Biotech etc….) and pricing power.
4.Don’t expect to make real money as a worker, it’s better to be an investor.
5.Don’t buy commodity companies (Products that can be replaced easily)
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Trans-Portugal last report

I did finish my 4th Trans-Portugal in a row!

They called themselves the Ultimate Endurance Race! Crossing Portugal in 9 days, 1150 Km off road racing across forest tracks, gravel roads and some steep single track's of Old Roman Roads!

This year i finish in the 9 th place the same as last year.

The final classification is always important but i care more about my own race.

In 2010 i did an average speed of 18,41 km/h
In 2011, did 19,68 km/h
In 2012, did 20,49 km/h
and this year did 21,21 km/h despite being sick with a stomach virus in the last 2 days. There was a virus than send some 10 riders back home earlier and annoyed some other (me) with vomit and stomach problems.

Some data points:

1.The weight is very important, i started this year with 71 kg (7 less than last year). I hired a very good sports Nutritionist.
2.I chose very resistant tyres, they are heavy but zero punctures.
3.I become almost veggan because i feel i am less prone to sickness and the recovery from an effort is easier.
4.I work with my coach, Nuno Sabido, since 2010 and the results are slow but steady. We are doing each year a different work and now i can do things impossible 2 years ago!
5.In the race the most important thing is to finish. Some people forget this and have one bad day in 9 and the final result is destroyed.
6.No one will help you! You have to count on yourself.
7.water is the most important thing in the world, if you have no water you get crazy soon. You can cope with no food but....
8.This year i didn't overeat during the race and i think it was a good strategy since i didn't put weight on the race. Sometimes since we burn some 5,000 extra calories a day we feel we can eat as much as we want.
9.It's very good to be alone 5 or 6 hours without speaking
10.For me the best strategy in each day is to start strong and fast, if i burn myself it's a pitty but if i don't i get a very good place. With this strategy there is not much left in the tank.
11.During the winter i rode every weekend with riders much better than me, i think that is very important to learn and improve.I thank my riding buddies for waiting for me so many times this year. (Some times I even try to train with the best Portuguese professionals)

Plans: This is done!  now i am going to take it easy during the summer doing some 1 day races and not much else and eventually to put some 2 or 3 kg.

here are the final results

http://www.trans-portugal.com/indexIng.htm
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Transporugal Day 3

Guarda - Unhais da Serra
All the stage was held at Serra da Estrela the highest mountain in Portugal with 2000 meters.
I started strongly but fadded a bit later. Finished 9th among some 80 racers.
I did 6 hours which is my personal best.
I could not keep up with the stonger riders. The stage was big climbs and then 20 min down, then another 2 hours climbs (long ones) and another 30 min downhill. Tomorow is more up and own all the time.today was possible to rest a bit in the Downhill parts. Tomorrow is more constant effort!

I am still a vegetarian!
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TransPortugal day 2

This was a 110 k with 2000 mts of climbs from Freixo in the North of Portugal to Guarda below the Douro river. We are moving south until Sagres.

I started strongly. At km 15 we do and old Roman road, the most challenging problem of all the race! It's 1 km of steep steps with a big fall on the right! The steps are uneven and very rotten. I was able to do it on the saddle for the first time.

At the middle of the stage i started to be passed by faster riders, at km 75 i was on the 14h place. After refilling my Camelback with fresh water and eating some bars i felt better and i passed some of the guys that had taken me in the middle of the stage.

Leson of the day: don't save water, drink a lot.

Finish 7th at the sprint.

Not a bad day after all!

Now i will do massage and ice. I need a fresh pair of legs tomorrow.

If you want to follow the race you can do it online

Www.trans-portugal.com
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Day 1 Trans-Portugal

Bragança to Freixo in the North of Portugal, 142 k with 3800 climbs.

I did 8 th with 6h 32 , 1 hour less tan last year!

I gave everything, heart rate always between 155 to 160. Did most of the race alone because th fastest guys were too fast and i had to do my race.

Today we will go to Guarda the highest town in Portugal.

If you want to follow go to. www.Trans-Portugal.com
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Still 71 kg

asurement 
Wed, May 1, 2013
VO2 Max
--
Weight
71.1 kg
Body Fat
13.6 %
Body Water
57.9 %
Bone Mass
3.1 kg
Muscle Mass
58.4 kg
Physique Rating
4
Visceral Fat
5
Metabolic Age
29 years
Daily Caloric Intake
3,122 C


3 Days for the big competition. 9 days from the north to the south tip op Portugal.

Mountain bike. off road.

If you want to follow the race online you can go to this link. First stage Saturday at 9 am Lisbon time. i am racer 262

http://www.trans-portugal.com
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