Casey Stoner getting closer to Supercar decision

Even before Casey Stoner officially retired from MotoGP racing at the end of the 2012 season, his name was linked to race for Triple Eight Racing in in the Dunlop series in 2013. Both parties denied the allegations that they already had a deal in place, but today the two-time MotoGP World Champion is behind the wheel of Jamie Whincup’s two-time championship car, for a test at the Queensland Raceway.

Stoner has yet to announce if he’s going Supercar racing, but this test under the guidance of driver Craig Lowndes and team manager Adrian Burgess, may persuade the Australian to make a final decision on undertaking a new career, even if he previously said he’d like to chill out a couple of years and watch his daughter Ally grow.

“He’s doing a great job at the moment and has acquitted himself well,” Burgess toldSpeecafe.com “He’s in the 1 minute 11s after three runs. We’re going through a range of spring changes, bar adjustments and letting him feel what a real V8 Supercar is like with a proper engine. We haven’t turned it into a big 25 people ‘super test’. It’s a DVS (Development Series) style test, keeping it realistic for him.”

Burgess admitted that the test is to allow Stoner to make a ‘balanced, educated assessment of where he’s at’ so he can decide if he wants to take up the commitment.

with Twowheelsblog

The Truth Is Out There: Treehotel in Lapland

If meeting Santa Claus and his reindeer doesn’t quite do it for you, not to worry. The Swedish ‘Treehotel’ is set to top off your Arctic adventure and take your childhood fantasies to the next level – literally. Here the simple concept of a tree house has been elevated to new heights, offering accommodation beyond your wildest imagination.

Yes, many hotels around the world offer you the opportunity to reconnect with nature, but only ‘Treehotel’ – located in the far north of Sweden, 60km below the Arctic Circle – allows you to become one with it. The curious hotel consists of five rooms, each uniquely designed and with an individual theme. And that’s not all; the rooms are perched high above the ground in pine trees, deep in the Scandinavian wilderness.


Meanwhile, guests can choose to climb into bed in such peculiar constructions as a natural-looking bird’s nest dangling from a treetop, or a lightweight aluminium box with entirely mirrored walls. The astonishing ‘Mirrorcube’, which stands four metres high and four metres wide, offers not only a 360-degree view over the snow-covered landscape, but also a taste of what life as one of our feathered friends might be like. Take note, though, you’ll need a head for heights, as the only way up is either by a ramp or a steep, retractable staircase.


The most impressive of these quirky modules has to be ‘the UFO’, which appears to be floating in the midst of the ancient pine trees. Inside, star patterns adorn the interior and porthole windows pour daylight into the ‘spaceship’. Even if it’s just for one night, you can finally live out your Star Trek fantasies and imagine yourself abducted by aliens.
We are told that all rooms are built according to sustainable principles, balancing ecological values with modern comfort and design. Apparently, the extra-terrestrials care enough about our planet to have jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon. However, an out-of–this-world experience seldom comes cheap, ‘Treehotel’ being no exception. A night will run you a good £400 – close encounter with E.T. not guaranteed.

For more information: Treehotel website www.treehotel.se.

Text: Laura Leivo
Fotos: Treehotel
From Classic Driver.com

Honda CB550 - Bridge City Cycles

Portland, Oregon is not only one of the 'craft beer' capitals of America, but it's also one of the 'craft motorcycle' capitals as well. There seems to be so many great custom shops, motorcycles and events coming out of Portland – there must be something in the Portland water beer. One such shop that we've been keeping our blurry eye on isBridge City Cycles. Started by Anthony Mautemps and his wife 2 years ago, their business is going from strength to strength. "We'll be moving to 5,000 square foot facility in May" says Anthony. "Fortunately, the move is just across the street." Bridge City Cycles specialize in vintage and classic motorcycles from Europe, America and of course Japan. Their latest build is this super lean and clean Honda CB550 café racer...

The owner of the bike, Mike Johnson bought the CB550 into Bridge City with a clear brief of what he wanted. The bike was in a pretty bad shape and so Anthony and his crew got to work starting from the ground up. They rebuilt the complete top end including the head. They also added a bigger cam, repainted the motor, powdercoated the carb bodies and most of the other parts on the bike. They then custom made the mini fairing and seat cowl. Anthony painted the tank, fairing and seat in Super Flake Copper and Gold Candy. The old school pin striping was done by the talented Jeff Wolf. The black leather seat upholstery was carried out by New Church Moto. "We rebuilt the wheels and pretty much everything on it" says Anthony.  

Bridge City Cycle have yet again built another top class cafe racer. This time with strong 70's influences that have been executed in a tasteful fashion. You can't argue with classic metal flake paint, pinstriping and a discreet fairing. We also love the brake light and licence plate which both seem to be hidden nicely under the rear cowl – the cops will probably love that feature as well

ENJOY A PSYCHEDELIC CHRISTMAS BY EL SOLITARIO

FOR SALE

If you want to see these urban combat motorcycles in person visit our friends at Kiddo Motors in the city of Barcelona.

For more info & photographs click on this link: http://www.elsolitariomc.com/motorcycles/honda/3xxx/

Prices starting at €7.500

SPECS:

1980′s Honda CG 125 “ROCK!” & “PUNK!”