Victoria Batik

Years sold: 2003-2006

MSRP new: $11,998 (2003) to $13,898 (2006)

Blue Book retail value: $6335 (2003) to $7655 (2006)

Basic specs: A 942cc, 435-pound V-Twin dual-purpose bike producing 92 rear-wheel horsepower and capable of a 126-mph top speed.

Why It Won: BMW is rightfully credited for inventing adventure bikes back in 1981, but the KTM 950 Adventure gave the category new meaning in 2003. The 950 not only matched BMW’s G-series Boxer as both a road bike and a far-off-the-beaten-path explorer, it also was able to handle tough, technical off-road conditions almost as well as many much-smaller real enduro bikes. KTM used its unparalleled expertise in all phases of off-road competition to give the 950 a chassis and suspension package that allowed the bike to be both an amazingly good dirtbike and a seriously fun street machine.

Technically, this first 950 Adventure was a 2004 model introduced early in 2003. You therefore won’t find it in Kelley Blue Book’s 2003 entries, but it does appear in the 2004 listings. KTM added an upscale 950 Adventure S with longer-travel suspension in 2004, and in 2007, the displacement was bumped up to 999cc. In 2010, the 999cc 990 Adventure R (the “R” having replaced the “S” in KTM-speak) won our Best Dual-Sport Bike award.

From the 2003 Ten Best story: “Part rally racer, part dual-sport, part adventure-tourer, it’s the best multi-tasker ever to wear semi-knobbies and a what’s-over-that-next-rise attitude.”

Useful resources: Apparently, KTM Adventure owners would much rather ride than chat about their bikes, because there are fewer forums and owners-group websites for these bikes than there are for most other popular machines. Still, if you type “KTM Adventure” in your browser, you’ll come up with several interesting sites that provide good, useful information about maintaining, repairing and modifying the 950, 990 and even the single-cylinder 640 Adventure models. A good starting place would be ktmforums.com/forums/adventure, which covers the obvious. Another interesting site is ktm950.info/how/wotf/wotf.html, which contains a long list of detailed fixes posted by owners of both 950 and 990 Adventure models. And, as usual, there are plenty of sites selling used Adventures as well as all manner of accessories and equipment for these much-loved KTMs.

CHARLESTON, SC, May 03, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
The New Primal, inventor and distributor of the popular Pocket
Paleo trail pack, is calling on adventure-seekers of all types to
register for and compete in the 2nd Annual New Primal Games. The
Games will feature various running, pushing, pulling, dragging, and
climbing competitions during the day-long celebration of all things
Primal.

The Games will take place on June 23, 2012 on Daniel Island, South
Carolina. To register, simply go to
www.thenewprimal.com . The Games
will be capped at 250 competitors (15 years and older) so organizers
are urging people to register soon.

In the New Primal Games, individuals and teams take on a series of
fun, Primal-inspired challenges. Each event is designed to test the
physical fitness and mental resilience of each participant. For those
competitors with “mini adventure-seekers” in tow, there will be a
short Kid’s Primal Games that will take place prior to the adult
competition.

The event will be competitive but there will be opportunities to
scale each challenge if a competitor can’t complete the challenge as
prescribed so all fitness levels are encouraged to participate.
Competitors will be separated by Age and Gender for competitive
purposes.

Jason Burke, founder of The New Primal and head organizer of the
Games, commented: “The Games are definitely not for the faint of
heart, but that said, all of the events include movements you already
know how to do! After all, our caveman ancestors did this each and
every day of their lives. Whereas it was hardly a game and harsh and
grueling work for our descendants, The New Primal Games are meant to
be inspiring, unique, and most importantly, fun for all.”

The Games will consist of multiple events throughout the day with
each event containing its own set of tasks. Specific events will be
revealed leading up to June 23rd, but may include any or all of the
following: tire drags, atlas stones, sand bags, wall climbs, trail
runs, rope climbs, and monkey bars.

For the several hundred spectators expected to attend and cheer on
their favorite Primal competitor, the Games will feature all of
today’s modern-day conveniences:

— EarthFare will be providing two “grazing stations” featuring fresh
fruit, trail mix, peanut butter cups and plenty of water.

— Jim N Nicks will offer assorted BBQ and trimmings, while the King of
Pops will be making an appearance to cool everyone off by offering
fresh popsicles.

— Life as Rx is the exclusive t-shirt sponsor of the event and will have
a tent available for spectators to purchase additional fitness
apparel.

Burke continued: "We're excited to bring the Games back for its second
year to help everyone get closer to their inner primal roots and help
them break away from the modern stresses of life. We encourage our
supporters to LivePrimal with healthy nutrition and eating habits and
PlayPrimal -- especially at our Games in June!"

About The New Primal
Our mission is to provide the very best in
unique, creative-quality foods and outdoor gear to fuel your life's
adventures wherever they may take you. The New Primal is more than a
business. It's a way of life. And while our story begins with beef
jerky, our mission and values are expansive. The New Primal movement
encourages all of us to seek adventure and break away from the modern
stresses of life. Work hard and play hard, get outdoors, and fuel
your vessel with the highest quality food. In all of our products --
from healthy foods to apparel -- we keep the consumer in mind and vow
to provide convenient, artisanal-quality products at reasonable
prices. The New Primal can be found at
http://www.thenewprimal.com/ .

Contact:
Jason Burke
Phone: 866-723-1386
Email: Email Contact

SOURCE: The New Primal

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=FD4BAF01B459CDEA

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article:

SLIP Students Final Adventure: Creating a Pioneer Village

The finale of this years Student Leadership Initiative Program found students from four high schools – including both Oswego schools – showing 3rd graders how 1830s settlers lived.

Toonie is a dog that can take care of herself.

The beagle and shar-pei mix proved that when she ran away during a walk and spent 12 days wandering through the bush, her pink lead trailing behind her the entire time.

Toonie was originally in the care of the Sudbury and District branch of the Ontario SPCA.

A couple came in and wanted to see if the dog would be a suitable fit, said Brad Dewar, a spokesperson for the Ontario SPCA. The couple took the dog home, but lost her during a walk on April 21.

Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, the gentleman walking the dog slipped on the ice and fell. The dog broke loose of his hold and began to run at large, with the leash still attached, he said.

According to a Facebook post by Rob Kaelas, the branch manager, Toonie spent two weeks in the bush or near Onaping Falls.

On Wednesday morning, two workers on Xstrata Mine property found her, her pink leash shredded, but still attached.

She was found walking on Moose Lake Road on a mine property, where workers saw the dog and called security, Dewar said.

The most surprising part of Toonies adventure was that, although she lost some weight, she was found in good health.

She was found in great con-d ition. Her lead was still attached to her, its actually quite amazing she didnt get snagged in the bush, Dewar said.

Its amazing for a dog to have been left alone for 12 days and been able to survive and still be in good health.

Its a good end to a bad start.

Dewar doesnt know how she managed to survive so well.

Your guess is as good as mine. The dog may have been able to find something to eat in the bush, he said.

After being secured by the two workers, Toonie received a well-deserved chunk of steak and some water before the Sudbury OSPCA was called, Kaelas said in his post on the Sudbury SPCA Sudbury and District Facebook page.

Toonie was still friendly and jumped into the awaiting crate and brought home to the shelter, the post said.

She was in good spirits and good health, Dewar added.

The dog is currently at the SPCA, though Dewar was unable to say if shes going back to the couple.

According to a Facebook post by the Sudbury branch, Toonies a good girl. It just takes a bit of time. Were waiting for the right family to step up.

target=_blank>rita.poliakov@sunmedia.ca

Rabbi Jamie Korngold, the Adventure Rabbi, will join with the Westchester Reform Temple community in Scarsdale for Friday evening services. 

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Her talk will “bring the outside in,” during an evening in the temple’s LEED Silver Certified Sanctuary on Friday, May 4 at 6:15 pm

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Rabbi Korngold was raised in Scarsdale where her parents still reside. She is an ordained, Reform rabbi and serves as Chief Spiritual Officer of the Adventure Rabbi Program. She has been nationally recognized for her innovative work combining Judaism and nature and is considered an expert at reaching the unaffiliated Jewish population via cutting-edge, out-of-the box Jewish programming and her use of technology.

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She has appeared in hundreds of print publications and newspapers, has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and has appeared on CBS News and Good Morning America.

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Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

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She holds a BS Natural Resources from Cornell University, has her Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College, and over 20 years experience as an outdoor guide and group leader. She is the author of four books: God in the Wilderness: Rediscovering the Spirituality of the Outdoors with the Adventure Rabbi, Breakfast in the Sukkah, Sadie and the Big Mountain, Ori and the Super Shamus.

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Rabbi Korngold will also be leading a series of hikes in the morning on Saturday May 5.  For more information visit www.wrtemple.org.

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-Contributed by the Westchester Reform Temple.

FAYETTEVILLE -

Adventures on the Gorge is opening its newest aerial adventure. TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park is the newest playground on the New River Gorge.

TimberTrek is designed by Swiss mountain guides. It#39;s a series of challenging obstacles, bridges, swings and zip lines in five courses of varying degrees of difficulty. Much like a ski slope in concept, there are courses for beginners to advanced adventurers. Unlike a ski slope, TimberTrekkers are 50 feet in the air.

Children as young as seven are welcome on the course. Guests start at a large center platform and choose their route for the self-guided tours. It uses a special two-clip system to secure guests to the guilder cables at all times, and guides are stationed nearby for anyone who needs assistance.

TimberTrek has a built-in spot for spectators. A deck at Rendezvous Lodge allows people to enjoy a snack and beverage while watching others.

Adventures on the Gorge is also adding Canyon Walls Swimming Hole, a swimming pool complete with waterfalls and space for little kids.

Calistoga resident Wyatt Farris is eagerly anticipating the AMA Pro Road Racing at Infineon Raceway for the Great Clips West Coast Moto Jam this weekend.

Submitted photo

AllIcan

AllICan: is a two-year feature film project that fuses the makers passion for riding and exploring the mountains with the potential to help the
environment.

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SEARCHING for animal waste in the jungle and digging a vegetable patch might not be everyones idea of a holiday but for a team of 15 students and three staff at Sandwich Tech the activities were just part of a life-changing trip.

The 16-to-18-year-olds have spent two weeks working with a village school and taking part in ecological research to establish a tiger reserve in north east Goa.

A precocious, pint-sized girl named Claudette rounds up her timid brother/pastry chef Gaston, her princess-in-training friend Marie and her dog Valiant and sets off for the giants lair in the mountains. Although theres danger – and some laughs – lurking around every turn, she leads the charge with nothing more than a wooden sword, a big mouth and a lot of courage.

While Aguirre didnt have to worry about 20-foot-tall monsters attacking his home in Montclair, the writer nonetheless had to summon all his determination and dedication as he set out into the unknown. He worked on the script whenever he could, squeezing in an hour here after putting the kids to bed or a few minutes there after dinner.

And more than three years after he started writing the all-ages graphic novel, Aguirre will never forget when he recently held a copy of the book for the first time.

I think I hugged it and gave it a kiss, he laughs. I was head over heals, like a little boy. I called to my wife (Carla), You have to take a look at this book.

Aguirre says the life of a freelance writer requires hustle and tenacity. You have to stay on top of deadlines. Its a life dictated by finishing different projects. Its given us a few ulcers over the years, but its given us discipline.

Aguirres pal from his time in Ohio States film program, Rafael Rosado, illustrated Giants Beware! He says that although the characters set off on a perilous adventure in the tradition of The Wizard of Oz, Aguirres sense of humor pervades the book. In fact, to trim the book back to 202 pages, a lot of jokes were left on the cutting room floor – jokes Rosado wishes could have been left in the book.

In particular, Aguirres wit comes across almost every time Claudette opens her considerable mouth. For example, the red-headed runt realizes that this whole myth about giants doesnt add up. So she confronts the Marquis and asks him why theyve chosen to waste tax-payers money to build a fortification around the Mont Petit Pierre rather than just go whack the giants.

While Aguirre may be brave like Claudette, Rosado said, Hes a gentle soul. Hes more like Gaston. The whole thing with Gaston is hes trying to make a great cake, create a great work. Thats more like (Aguirre) as a writer. Hes trying to come up with the right ingredients to make a good story.

Aguirre found those ingredients all around him. He added a dash of adventure from the best-selling Bone graphic novel series created by longtime friend Jeff Smith. He took a heaping cupful of the brashness of Mafalda, the title character of a comic strip and cartoon that was popular in South America in the 1970s and 80s, and gave it to Claudette. He even added a pinch of information he gleaned from reading a series of how-to books by comic book expert Scott McCloud.

But the biggest influence came from Dora The Explorer. Aguirre has written several episodes of the popular Nickelodeon show and its spinoff hit, Go, Diego, Go!

I had the ending of Giants Beware! in mind at the mountain peak, but I couldnt figure out how I was going to get there, Aguirre said. The structure of Dora is based on the ancient Greek myths, the classic stories of going someplace. Here to here to here, like in The Odyssey.

I was influenced by that structure and having those sign posts. Having that structure was important because I then had so much more freedom to have fun.

But the rest of the way, Aguirre and Rosado followed their own muse. They were careful not to be influenced by the current state of the comic book business – which happens to be dominated by adult-oriented books. They didnt even intend to be a G-rated counterbalance to all those sexually charged, overly violent books about angst-ridden super heroes and shambling zombies.