Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs

UP:To photographer Joe Bonnello, for giving us what we really want in a calendar-bikes! Motocross 2003 features top off-road riders and Supercross stars showcasng their skills on the latest two-and four-stroke machinery. Limited numbers of the $12, 12-month calendar are available through booksellers or from MBI Publishing (www.motorbooks.com).

DOWN: To the publisher of The Mo torcycle Directory, for failing to deliver on its promise. The Phoenix, Arizona, operation has cashed at least one $108 personal check (from around-theglobe-roamer Dr. Gregory Frazier, no less) without handing over its 600plus-page spiral-bound tome said to contain the names, street addresses, telephone and fax numbers, key con tacts and website addresses for more than 14,000 bike-oriented companies. Reports Frazier, "Check cashed, phone unplugged, website with no contact ad dresses. Looks like a hit and run."

UP: To Team Orthopedics, for doing its part to help reduce injuries. The Las Vegas-based office led by Dr. Paul Canale recently subjected current offroad boots from Alpinestars, AXO, Fox and Sidi (plus one 1970s-era used boot) to five laboratory tests-toe-box crush strength, toe-box dorsiflexion stiffness, ankle dorsiflexion stiffness, ankle plantarflexion stiffness and lateral stiffness-in an attempt to evaluate each boot's "mechanical properties." Their conclusions? Buy boots that feature "exoskeletal" designs and have heavily reinforced toe boxes and rigid soles, such as Sidi's Flex Force and Flex Force SRS. For the complete report, go to www.teamorthopedics.com.