Morning Reads: Tuesday, 8 April 2008

[Mika]

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getday&day=2008-04-8&sb=1)


http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z24/ns-mymyspacelayouts/happy-birthday-dog-balloons-glitter.gif


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/264344351_WiGG9-XL.jpg


motorcyclenews.com ( http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/april/7-13/apr070831millioncpllectiontobesold/?&R=EPI-99690)
£1million motorcycle collection to be sold


WRN gives their perspective on the Stelvio 1200 4V
womenridersnow.com ( http://www.womenridersnow.com/PublicFiles/Departmentviewer.asp?ArticleID=910)
Moto Guzzi has a new look for off-road bikes


thevintagent.com ( http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2008/04/contemporary-velocette-sprinters.html)
Contemporary Velocette Sprinters


thenewcaferacersociety.com ( http://thenewcaferacersociety.blogspot.com/2008/04/japan-gets-apartments-for-motorcyclists.html)
Japan gets apartments for motorcyclists


Here is an interesting build.
thekneeslider.com ( http://thekneeslider.com/)
Harley Davidson 4 Valve big twin sportbike


bikepoint.com.au ( http://bikepoint.com.au/portal/tabID__5760/ArticleID__120804/DesktopDefault.aspx)
BMW Xcountry & Xmoto
All rounder or corner hound?

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/241328146_BqWb7-XL.jpg


This was reported previously in the M.R. but the headline is fun to see!.
moto22.com ( http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.moto22.com/2008/04/07-bmw-primera-buell-segunda-y-ktm-tercera-en-los-1000-kilometros-de-hockenheim&hl=en&langpair=es|en&tbb=1&ie=utf-8)
BMW first, Buell KTM second and third in the 1000 kilometres from Hockenheim


Mixed fortunes for BMW Motorrad Motorsport team at WEC GP of Spain

With conditions drier and dustier than at any World Enduro Championship race for many years the third round of the ’08 WEC series, the GP of Spain staged in Sitges, proved to be a challenging one for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team. Coming just one week after the GP of Portugal the third round of the championship saw enduro newcomer Simo Kirssi claim the team’s best result with an eight place finish in the Enduro 2 class on day one. Continuing to adapt quickly to the competitive WEC series Kirssi spent the first half of the second day running inside the top five of the E2 class showing good speed on the event’s technical extreme test and heavily rutted and dusty motocross test. Disappointingly for the Finn a heavy crash while en route to the enduro test put an end to his event as he badly damaged his bike and was unable to continue.

Aware that the dry Spanish conditions might not be to his liking seven-time world enduro champion Anders Eriksson was unable to place higher than 11th in the Enduro 3 class on day one. Despite recording some good times on the enduro special test Anders failed to gel with the extremely dusty motocross test, and as a result was unable to finish inside the top 10 of the E3 class. On day two Anders opted to try some different settings on his bike, but with the exception of some spirited extreme test performances again failed to perform at his best and dropped to 14th in class.

With Simo Kirssi placing eight in the Enduro 1 class on day one, Jeff Goblet finished four places behind in 12th having finished without problems. Finding the dry and dusty special tests challenging, Jeff made a disappointing early exit on day two following a mechanical problem in the extreme test.

In the enduro Junior class Bert Meyer finished his first ever Spanish enduro GP inside the top 10 having ridden consistently to finish ninth on day one. Despite taking a while to find his speed on day two Bert made light work of the challenging conditions but a mistake on the final special test of the event cost him valuable time and he placed 19th in class.

Round four of the ’08 World Enduro Championship takes place in Kwidzyn, Poland on June 14/15.

Simo Kirssi – Enduro 2 class: “I found the start of day one pretty tough, but as the day progressed things got better and better. I didn’t have any problems in the special tests but I just wasn’t riding as relaxed as I needed to be. I felt better towards the end of the day but I still felt that I could have ridden a little more aggressively. It was ok, but not quite as good as I hoped.
Day two started even worse than day one. I looked at the special tests on Saturday night but the lines I had hoped to use were impossible – they just didn’t work. On the second lap I used the lines everyone else was using and things were much better. The second lap went really well, I felt really good, but then I hit a stone in the course just before the enduro test and badly damaged my bike. That was the end of my day. It’s a disappointing end to the weekend but I felt that I rode well in some tests, so I’m pleased with that.”

Jeff Goblet – Enduro 2 class: “It’s been a disappointing weekend, that’s for sure. Day one wasn’t great for me – I’m still adjusting to being on a four-stroke, but I finished without problems. I had to stop very early on day two because I had a problem with my bike. It’s always disappointing to have mechanical problems but like several riders have found in the last two races it can and does happen. Now I’m just looking forward to the next round of the championship.”

Anders Eriksson – Enduro 3 class: “It’s not been a good weekend for me. I knew that the conditions wouldn’t suit me well and they didn’t. That added to a few problems made for a tough weekend. As I’ve said before we keep learning with the bike – this weekend things didn’t go as well planned but the important thing is that we learned from it. I had some problems on day two, which we were able to fix, but I took some penalty points. My results weren’t good at all but, well, I tried my hardest and things just didn’t go well. We have a break in the calendar now so we will do more testing and training and then it’s on to Poland, which I’m looking forward to.”

Wolfgang Fischer – BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team Manager: “I have mixed feelings about the weekend. We had some problems that we weren’t expecting and Simo, who was riding really well on day two, had bad luck. He hit a big stone during the time check before the enduro test and that put him out of the race. That was it for him.
“Anders wasn’t able to get the times he hoped to get in the special tests on day one so tried a few different things with his bike on day two. Things didn’t really get better for him so it was a disappointing weekend for him. We now have a couple of weeks break before the next GP so we need to do a little more home work.”

2008 World Enduro Championship
Grand Prix of Spain – Day 1

Enduro 1 class
1. Mika Akola (Honda) 44:47.43; 2. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 44:53.08; 3. Eero Remes (KTM) 45:31.48; 4. Simone Albergoni (Yamaha) 45:40.56; 5. Marc Germain (Yamaha) 46:05.48; 6. Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) 46:05.56; 7. Maurizio Micheluz (Yamaha) 46:49.02; 8. Daryl Bolter (Husqvarna) 47:32.82; 9. Tom Sagar (KTM) 47:35.50; 10. Mike Hartmann (KTM) 47:47.77; 11. David Cadek (KTM) 48:05.23; 12. Jordan Curvalle (Suzuki) 48:14.61; 13. Damien Miquel (Suzuki) 48:29.38; 14. Sandro Marcos (Suzuki) 48:36.61; 15. Luca Cherubini (TM) 48:53.17; 16. Paulo Felicia (Kawasaki) 49:12.33; 17. Concalo Reis (KTM) 49:20.56; 18. Daniele Tellini (KTM) 49:54.90; 19; Andres Barbero (KTM) 52:08.24

Enduro 2 class
1. Johnny Aubert (Yamaha) 44:35.97; 2. Antoine Meo (Husqvarna) 45:57.22; 3. Alessandro Belometti (KTM) 46:00.33; 4. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 46:20.90; 5. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 46:38.38; 6. Fabrizio Dini (Yamaha) 46:43.60; 7. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 46:44.56; 8. Simo Kirssi (BMW) 46:48.77; 9. Rodrig Thain (TM) 46:55.72; 10. Fabio Mossini (Honda) 47:28.18; 11. Jari Mattila (Honda); 12. Jean Francois Goblet (BMW) 48:11.65; 13. Nicolas Paganon (Aprilia) 48:13.76; 14. Nicolas Deparrois (Gas Gas) 48:17.65; 15. Freddy Blanc (Suzuki) 48:29.91; 16. Andrea Belotti (KTM) 48:34.51; 17. Xacob Agra (BMW) 48:35.16; 18. Hans Vogel (Yamaha) 48:40.21; 19. Felipe Zanol (Yamaha) 49:16.17; 20. Amel Advokaat (KTM) 49:16.39

Enduro 3 class
1. Samuli Aro (KTM) (45:08.56); 2. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 45:40.44; 3. Sebastien Guillaume (Husqvarna) 46:02.1; 4. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 46:08.49; 5. Fabien Planet (KTM) 46:23.94; 6. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 46:29.92; 7. Stefan Merriman (Aprilia) 46:39.03; 8. Gerard Fares (KTM) 46:45.83; 9. Bjorne Carlsson (Husaberg) 46:50.11; 10. Alessandro Botturi (HONDA) 47:13.44; 11. Anders Eriksson (BMW) 47:26.28; 12. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 47:54.96; 13. Jordi Figueras (KTM) 47:57.83; 14. Juan Pedrero (Yamaha) 48:09.85; 15.Ervin Plekkenpol (Honda) 48:12.49; 16.Alessio Paoli (Beta) 48:57.55; 17. Euan McConnell (TM) 49:37.02; 18. Stefan Svitko (KTM) 51:06.05; 19. Juraj Dozsa (Gas Gas) 51:10.25; 20 .Gordon Clarke (TM) 52:10.69

Enduro Junior class
1. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 46:32.32; 2. Oriol Mena (KTM) 47:05.65; 3. Marc Bourgeois (Husqvarna) 47:08.54; 4. Mirko Gritti (Beta) 47:20.94; 5. Carlos Andreu (KTM) 47:44.33; 6. Victor Guerrero (KTM) 48:07.50; 7. Greg Evans (KTM) 48:36.57; 8. Simon Wakely (Husqvarna) 49:07.65; 9. Bert Mayer (BMW) 49:12.02; 10. Jeremy Joly (Sherco) 49:13.84; 11. Antti Hellsten (Husqvarna) 49:15.13; 12. Oscar Balletti (Honda) 49:20.28; 13 Romain Boucardey (KTM) 49:55.40; 14. Phillip McLaughlin (TM) 50:15.66; 15. Guillem Pares (Yamaha) 50:36.12; 16. Adam Guillaume (Husqvarna) 50:37.61; 17. Adrien Metge (Husqvarna) 50:48.26; 18. Ashley Wood (Honda) 50:53.97; 19. Fredrick Berg (KTM) 50:59.72; 20. Mark Risse (Gas Gas) 51:25.89

2008 World Enduro Championship
Grand Prix of Portugal – Day 2

Enduro 1 class
1. Mika Ahola (Honda) 39:25.57; 2. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 39:26.19; 3. Simone Albergoni (Yamaha) 39:50.88; 4. Eero Remes (KTM) 40:18.67; 5. Marc Germain (Yamaha) 40:35.20; 6. Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) 40:48.75; 7. Maurizio Micheluz 40:50.47; 8. Mike Hartmann (KTM) 41:43.21; 9. Luca Cherubini (TM) 41:52.86; 10. Daryl Bolter (Husqvarna) 42:03.29; 11. Jordan Curvalle (Suzuki) 42:18.82; 12. David Cadek (KTM) 42:41.74; 13.Damien Miquel (Suzuki) 42:56.86; 14. Daniele Tellini (KTM) 43:00.67; 15. Concalo Reis (KTM) 43:28.40; 16. Jakub Horak (KTM) 45:19.71; 17. Waclaw Skolarus (Yamaha) 46:00.05; 18. Andres Barbero (KTM) 46:33.77; 19. Daniel Fonoll (Yamaha) 48:40.65

Enduro 2 class
1. Johnny Aubert (Yamaha) 38:36.74; 2. Juha Salminen (KTM) 38:52.50; 3. Antoine Meo (Husqvarna) 39:58.63; 4. Rodrig Thain (TM) 40:46.75; 5. Fabrizio Dini (Yamaha) 40:49.75; 6. Alessandro Belometti (KTM) 40:50.53; 7. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 40:53.51; 8. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 40:58.35; 9. Fabio Mossini (Honda) 41:12.67; 10. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 41:17.02; 11. Aaron Bernandez (Husqvarna) 41:19.48; 12. Andrea Belotti (KTM) 41:34.87; 13. Jari Mattila (Honda) 42:09.48; 14. Nicolas Deparrois (Gas Gas) 42:12.71; 15. Hans Vogel (Yamaha) 42:16.14; 16. Nicolas Paganon (Aprilia) 42:43.77; 17. Amel Advokaat (KTM) 43:05.51; 18. Xacob Agra (BMW) 43:08.65; 19. Rudy Cotton (Beta) 43:24.77; 20. Felipe Zanol (Yamaha) 44:13.09

Enduro 3 class
1. Samuli Aro (KTM) 39:56.62; 2. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 40:06.79; 3. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 40:09.12; 4. Stefan Merriman (Aprilia) 40:11.25; 4. Sebastien Guillaume (Husqvarna) 40:34.87; 5. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 40:38.52; 6. Bjorne Carlsson (Husaberg) 40:54.22; 7. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 41:00.19; 8. Antoine Letellier (Aprilia) 41:01.17; 9. Alessandro Botturi (Honda) 41:24.55; 10. Gerard Fares (KTM) 41:28.76; 11. Ervin Plekkenpol (Honda) 42:26.83; 12. Stefan Svitko (KTM) 42:39.98; 13. Anders Eriksson (BMW) 43:05.55; 14. Jordi Figueras (KTM) 43:29.50; 15. Jordan Jou (Honda); 16. Juraj Dozsa (Gas Gas) 44:42.81; 18. Gordon Clarke (TM) 46:22.93

Enduro Junior class
1. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 40:57.53; 2. Oriol Mena (KTM) 41:10.06; 3. Mirko Gritti (Beta) 41:25.30; 4. Marc Bourgeois (Husqvarna) 41:30.31; 5. Victor Guerrero (KTM) 41:40.32; 6. Greg Evans (KTM) 42:13.60; 7. Oscar Balletti (Honda) 42:30.53; 8. Jeremy Joly (Sherco) 42:53.70 9. Antti Hellsten (Husqvarna) 43:11.60; 10. Adrien Metge (Husqvarna) 43:23.99; 11. Simon Wakely (Husqvarna) 43:38.65; 12 David Gannac (Suzuki) 43:52.44; 13. Philip McLaughlin (TM) 44:12.65; 14. Ashley Wood (Honda) 44:21.24; 15. Guillem Pares (Yamaha) 44:36.80; 16. Marc Sola (KTM) 44:45.54; 17. Romain Dumontier (Husqvarna) 44:51.72; 18. Karl Svensson (KTM) 44:54.72; 19. Bert Mayer (BMW) 45:08.08; 20. Peter Germain (Kawasaki) 45:21.50

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276294706_v2rN6-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276294789_bjkJc-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276295602_g7irZ-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276296062_ziABq-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276296062_ziABq-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276297263_G6ccs-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276297846_pqidD-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276298232_MFJ33-L.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/276299535_g3tzT-L.jpg




http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/237905512-XL.jpg


BMW Sauber F1 (http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html)


BMW Motorsport (http://bmw-motorsport.com/ms/en/index.html)


eemsonline.co.uk ( http://www.eemsonline.co.uk/news/04-04-08_2)
Call for 20 race F1 limit



http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/252037877_dr5fN-XL.jpg


newsweek.com ( http://www.newsweek.com/id/130439?from=rss)
Why cars don’t get 50mpg


carscoop.com ( http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/04/drive-aston-martin-vantage-n24-on-track.html)
Driva an Aston martin Vantage N24 on-track. [If you are in England, that is.]


germancarscene.com ( http://germancarscene.com/2008/04/07/g-power-bmw-m5-hurricane-review/)
G-Power BMW M5 Hurricane Review [730bhp, 217mph top speed – Videos]


windingroad.com ( http://news.windingroad.com/auto-shows/detroit-auto-show/maybach-landaulet-to-go-on-us-sale-in-december/)
Maybach Landaulet to go on U.S. sale in December

Continued

[Mika]

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/241999325_WawNL-XL.jpg

BMW Website Review:


bmwgroup.com ( http://www.bmwgroup.com/e/nav/index.html?http://www.bmwgroup.com/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/investor_relations/corporate_news/news/2008/Vertriebsmeldung_Maerz_2008.html)
BMW Group with record sales in first quarter 2008



BMW Yachtsport (http://bmw-yachtsport.com/ys/en/index.html)


BMW Golfsport (http://bmw-golfsport.com/gs/en/index.html)


BMW Oracle Racing (http://bmworacleracing.com/en/index.html?track.refer=)


BMW Sport website ( http://bmw-sports.com/en/index.html)


BMW PressClub


New F 650 GS available for £65 per month with BMW Select
04/07/2008

Upgrading to BMW quality is not as expensive as most riders imagine. BMW Financial Services offers a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) product called ‘Select’ that allows customers to spread the cost of their motorcycle over 24 months. BMW Financial Services also set a Guaranteed Minimum Future Value for the customer bike, which becomes the optional final payment, meaning the customer doesn’t have to worry about what their motorcycle is worth at the end of their finance agreement. Because this lump sum is deferred to the end of the agreement, monthly repayments could be as low as £65. Not only that, BMW Financial Services offers customers 3 flexible options at the end of their Select agreement; either hand their motorcycle back, keep their motorcycle and pay the optional final payment or part-exchange their motorcycle for a new one.

BMW Financial Services offers BMW Select on the entire range of BMW Motorrad models from the HP2 Sport to the F 650 GS.

The new BMW F 650 GS entry level, all-terrain enduro is a complete redesign of the much loved single-cylinder model. The original machine’s power plant has been superseded by BMW’s new high performance 71hp parallel-twin engine. With chain drive transmission, seat height options as low as 76.5cm and an OTR retail price of £5,495, the F 650 GS is an affordable and versatile introduction to the world of BMW enduro.

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/218644945_smmSg-M.jpg


The F 650 GS is aimed at riders who have more conventional riding requirements and do not need a dedicated bike with competition enduro suspension travel. With its lower riding position, lighter and more evenly distributed weight of 176kg, the ‘little’ GS is easy to control, has plenty of power and delivers remarkable fuel economy.

Despite its ‘650’ designation the F 650 GS has the same 800cc parallel-twin engine as the F 800 GS. With a slightly reduced power output (71 instead of the 85hp delivered by the F 800 GS) the F 650 concentrates on high torque at low engine speeds but with surprisingly miserly fuel consumption.

In addition to the low cost purchase, BMW Motorrad Insurance is also available at an equally affordable price. Comprehensive motorcycle insurance cover for the F 650 GS is available at a flat rate of £230 for riders aged 26 years and over, or £460 for riders aged 21-25 years (subject to terms and conditions).

To locate your nearest dealer and book a test ride please contact BMW Motorrad on 0800 777 155, or online at www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk



ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM COUPÉ TO MAKE ASIAN DEBUT AT AUTO CHINA 2008[/B]
Goodwood, 7 April 2008

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its new Phantom Coupé for the first time in the Asia Pacific region at the 10th Auto China 2008 Beijing, to be held at the New China International Exhibition Center, on Sunday, 20 April 2008.

[img]http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/257976043_3UMYa-L.jpg

The Coupé, the fourth new model from Rolls-Royce under BMW Group ownership, is the most driver-orientated model in the Phantom line-up. This two-door, four-seater model has already seen outstanding demand with this year’s production already sold.

A modern grand touring coupé in the finest tradition, this car is powered by the Phantom’s 6.75-litre V12, producing 460hp and 720Nm of torque making it the definitive choice for all-day, long distance driving. With its engine tuned for immense low down torque, the new Rolls-Royce effortlessly achieves the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds, and continues rapidly towards an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h.

A combination of segment-leading fuel economy and a 25 percent increase in fuel capacity, compared to the Drophead Coupé, increases driving range to more than 600 kilometres. A spacious picnic boot with split tail compartment gives easy access to 395 litres of space. The lower part of the tailgate provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered.

The highly advanced spaceframe aluminium chassis endows the Coupé with the marque’s legendary ride comfort, handling and safety. It is the most torsionally rigid Rolls-Royce ever built. The unique architecture of the car is further augmented by the rear-hinged coach doors, allowing the easiest possible access to the rear lounge seat.

To ensure a perfect balance of refinement and driver involvement, Rolls-Royce developed a new gearbox programme, stiffer rear dampers and modified spring rates. In addition, a thicker rear anti-roll bar, modified brake response and tuned steering offer more feel over other Phantom models.
As with every Rolls-Royce car, the finely hand-crafted interior of the Coupé can be personalised via the Bespoke programme, allowing for any number of features, each tailored to the taste of the individual. For example, customers can choose from more than 44,000 different colours.

The Phantom Coupé’s cabin can be ordered with an optional, full-length starlight headlining, incorporating 1600 tiny fibre optics to create the ambience of a star-filled night sky. The new model is also available with a brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar surround previously seen on its experimental predecessor, the 101EX.

This will be the first time that Rolls-Royce has exhibited the complete Phantom Series at an Asian motor show. Specially commissioned for Auto China 2008, Bespoke versions of the Phantom Extended Wheel Base and the Phantom Drophead Coupé will be on display.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chairman, Ian Robertson, said, “We regard Auto China as the natural platform for the Asian launch of the new Phantom Coupé and our showcase of specially commissioned cars. China, our largest market in the Asia Pacific region and the third largest in the world, saw record sales in 2007 with growth of more than 50 per cent and we expect to see continued success in this market.”

Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2008.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars saw sales in 2007 increase by 25 per cent, compared to 2006, with retails of 1010 cars.



http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/237925770-XL.jpg

Conversion tools:

Periodically articles in the Morning Reads list things such as prices in units you may not be familiar with. Here are links to some conversion tools for your use.

Universal Currency Converter ( http://www.xe.com/ucc/) by xe.com

Online Conversion tools ( http://www.onlineconversion.com/) by onlinecoversion.com

Morning Reads standard measure of bike value is the Rdstr. The Rdstr is pegged to the U.S. Dollar and is currently trading at 1 Rdstr = $12,620 U.S. dollars


BlogRoll: ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=295268&posted=1#post295268
) some of the blogs I have collected while purposefully wondering around the internet.

NEW LINKS, FEEDS and BLOGS

8negro (http://8negro.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default)

Ace Racer 72[/url[

[url=http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/rss/]Best Brands of the World (http://aceracer72.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default)

Designers Underground (http://designersunderground.wordpress.com/feed/)

Explore Minnesota News (http://feeds.feedburner.com/exploreminnesotanews)

Mick Rides RTW on R65 (http://mickrtw.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default)

Otto Nero (http://ottonero.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default)

RocketGarage (http://rocket-garage.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default)


Stuff: A place for everything and everything in its place, including stuff.

topix.net ( http://www.topix.net/content/ap/2008/04/schlitz-makes-reappearance-in-chicago-beer-market)
Schlitz makes reappearance in Chicago beer market


iht.com ( http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/07/business/7tradefw.php)
China and New Zealand sign free trade deal


chinadigitaltimes.com ( http://chinadigitaltimes.net/feed/)
The Torchbearer


ft.com ( http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3b399ccc-0403-11dd-b28b-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1)
Mugabe throws weight behind intimidation


peoplesdaily.com ( http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90780/6386446.html)
OPINION: Engine power of the U.S. economy declines


engadget.com ( http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/26/xcors-lynx-aims-to-enter-space-tourism-business-in-2010/)
XCOR’s lynx aims to enter space tourism business in 2010


engadeget.com ( http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/first-manned-flight-using-hydrogen-battery-creates-no-rain-only/)
First manned flight using hydrogen batter doesn’t cause rain, only tears


M.R. Traveler


Places 2 Ride Blog (http://feeds.feedburner.com/places2ride)


www.biker-events.com (http://www.biker-events.com/feed/)
Finding the Good Times on 2 Wheels


Horizonsunlimited.com – Newsletter (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/newsletter/index.xml)


http://www.complexny.com/clients/bmwmoa/files/Gillette_447.png

2008 International Rally (http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally08/)
Gillette, Wyoming, July 17-20 2008


Today’sRoadFood.com (http://www.roadfood.com/)


Woot

Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)
The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/182526939-M.gif
Packer News: Packers.com (http://www.packers.com/), jsonline.com - Packers Plus Online (http://www.jsonline.com/index/index.aspx?id=44)


Humor

Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City (http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/)
Sluggy Freelance (http://www.sluggy.com/)
The Onion (http://feeds.theonion.com/theonion/daily)
xkcd (http://www.xkcd.com/)


Bike Candy:

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/271677087_MEAtY-L.jpg

THE END (http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/124991114_dbFUT-M.jpg)