MotoGP, Losail: here come the paddock girls

from Twowheelsblog

The new, long-awaited MotoGP season has finally begun, and that means that our usual photo gallery featuring the most charming paddock girls of the weekend is back too. There’s no doubt that Valentino Rossi’s “resurrection” in Qatar had many fans jumping on their sofas in excitement, and here is a nice collection of pictures that might get your hearts pumping just as much. Well, maybe not ‘that’ much, but after such a massive race this might be just the proverbial ‘icing on the cake‘ to close the Losail chapter and move on to the next one.

Speaking of which, the next MotoGP round will take place in just a forthnight at the brand new ‘Circuit Of The Americas’ (COTA) in Austin, Texas, where a few weeks ago Honda’s Marc Marquez topped the timesheet in all of the three days of testing. Not that there were that many teams there (just Repsol Honda, LCR Honda and, for the first two days only, Yamaha Factory Racing) but that is obviously a good omen for the talented 20 years old.

However, even though Marquez and Pedrosa lapped considerably better than Rossi and Lorenzo on their first test at the COTA, if there’s something that we’ve learnt (again) from the Qatar GP is that being fast on one lap doesn’t mean anything if you have no consistency and the bike doesn’t take proper care of the tyres, so we just have to wait and see what will happen once there. One thing we are already sure about is that there’s going to be more paddock girls there, and we will report about that a couple of days after the race.

The Ranchero Returns Part 2! Alaska or Bust, the Sequel - Roadkill Episode 1

On this episode of Roadkill, the 14-month dream of ice racing in Alaska comes true! More than a year ago, on Episode 2 of Roadkill, Freiburger and Finnegan hit the road in a '68 Ford Ranchero with a wild goal: to drive 3,600 miles from Los Angeles, California, to Big Lake, Alaska, to go ice racing. Somehow, they instead found themselves in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. You really need to check out Episode 2 to understand the level of fail that has chased these guys. 

The most recent Roadkill, Episode 13, told the first half of the story of Freiburger and Finnegan's second attempt—and this time, on Episode 14, you can bask in the suffering and victory as they finally reach the goal. But how with their 45-year-old muscle car fare in an ice race with the Alaska Sports Car Club? Watch to find out.

For those interested in tech specs, the '68 Ranchero is powered by a 363ci small-block Ford that's based on a big-bore Dart SHP block; the bore and stroke is 4.125x3.400. It has 9.3:1 compression, Dart 195cc heads, and a hydraulic roller cam with 232/244 duration at 0.050, .565/.580 lift, and a 114-degree LSA. The engine made 471 hp at 6,200 rpm and 451 lb-ft at 4,500. The trans is a Gearstar C4. The car's biggest problem is the 2.80:1 gears in the 8-inch rearend. That's too high for a heavily loaded car with a big cam, but they were used to keep rpm down during the trip to Alaska.

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ESSENTIAL KNOTS FOR ADVENTURE BIKE RIDERS

A screwdriver, pliers, hammer and Crescent wrench may not a toolkit make, but with them, you’re off to a darn good start. Same with these knots. Sailors and mountain climbers may require more specialized options, but with these essentials, you’ll be able to tow a bike, pitch your tent, secure a ruptured pannier or lash your buddy’s carcass to the saddle and get it back to civilization before it starts to putrefy.

Square Knot
What it does: Joins the ends of a rope.
Strength: About 54 percent (of line strength).
Notes: While weak, unstable and easily untied (sometimes unintentionally), the square knot is still a sound starting point and an essential first-aid knot. It’s more reliable if you back up the loose ends with an overhand knot. Tying Tip: right over left, left over right.

Bowline
What it does: Makes a loop that will not slip.
Strength: About 63 percent.
Notes: One of the world’s great knots. Essential for rescue. Secure, yet since it unties easily after holding a load, it’s a good choice for towing. Tying Tip: The rabbit goes up the hole, around the tree and back down the hole.

Taut Line Hitch
What it does: Makes a loop that slips but only when you want it to.
Strength: 70-80 percent.
Notes: Brilliant because you slide it where you want and it stays put. A camping essential since you can tighten a tent line without re-tying the knot. Perfect for stringing an in-room clothesline to let soaked riding gear dry out. Need more holding power? Add more turns.

Figure 8
What it does: Joins two ropes, makes a loop.
Strength: Up to 80 percent.
Notes: Think of this knot as a system: Tie it in a bight of rope for a loop that won’t slip; thread the rope back through the loop and you get a noose that cinches up tight; reweave one Figure 8 into another and you have an excellent bend for joining two lines.

from CYCLEWORLD