Author: Enid Burns

SolaRoad Uses Cycling Trails at Test Bed

Dutch company TNO recently presented its idea for the SolaRoad. While the application will likely be used for roads eventually, TNO has its eye on Holland’s 15,000 km of bike paths to start installation of its solar panel-infused road.

The current conceptual design for the SolaRoad consists of modules. For the cycling application, the path will consist of prefab elements made up in layers: a concrete housing, solar cells, and optical layer and a transparent top layer. The concrete element will measure 1.5 by 2.5 meters and each layer will be placed on top. The glass will be a 1 cm thick hardened glass layer of crystal silicon solar cells. The road surface will then collect roughly 50 kWh per square meter annually. An average household consumes about 3,500 kWh of electricity per year.

Solar roadways have a few criteria in the design and implementation such as stiffness and maintenance. Benefits the SolaRoad can provide include the ability to display messages electronically on the road. If it’s a cycling path, the road can display a message that the upcoming light is turning red in cases where the path crosses a road. It also eliminates what TNO calls “landscape pollution”.

New applications to collect solar energy are interesting to watch. It will be great to see the roadways become potential solar farms rather than taking up vast open spaces to install solar panel farms. However with a top layer of glass, we are interested to see what the actual surface will be like. Roads especially, but even bike paths, can get slick with even the slightest amount of rain. How will the glass and other layers of SolaRoad stand up to cold and extreme weather conditions? We know this isn’t your average glass, but it sure can get cold and snowy  in those winter months in the Netherlands.

For more information visit TNO and locate the English option.

via [Cyclecious]

New Guidelines for Anti-Doping Protocols in 2011 Amgen Tour of California

This week the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) made known its protocols for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California taking place May 15 to 22. The new guidelines are based on previous anti-doping procedures, and expand on the elements with their frequency and rigor.

In the 90 days prior to the race beginning February 15, all race participants will be subject to no-advance notice sample collections. International riders will be subject to the same no-advance notice, out-of-competition testing. During the competition the race organizers in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code in-competition criteria will conduct testing. This includes daily doping controls following a strategic test distribution plan. Samples will be screened for substances and methods used on the WADA Prohibited List such as steroids, hormones, stimulants and various masking agents. Continue reading New Guidelines for Anti-Doping Protocols in 2011 Amgen Tour of California

The Gym as the New Power Plant

When you go to the gym, do you think about how much power you’re expelling? The Columbia Athletic Club, part of Columbia Association, in Columbia, MD, just installed 28 Green Revolution stationary bicycles to divert the power exercisers produce and put it into the facility’s power grid.

The bikes in the spin class work to power the building. Each 45-minute cycling class averages about 20 bikes, and produces as much as 3.6 Megawatts of energy over the course of the year. That’s enough power to light 72 homes for a month. It reduces about two tons of carbon emissions per year, according to Green Revolution Inc.

Does it feel like you’re generating energy on the bike? “The ride is actually smoother than it was previously, so that has been an added bonus!” said Leslie Flynn, general manager of the Columbia Athletic Club.

“The generator does not add any measurable resistance to the bike,” explained Mike Curnyn, chief strategy and marketing officer and co-founder of Green Revolution, the Ridgefield, CT-based company that supplies the green bikes.

Since adding the bikes to the gym, Columbia Athletic Association has seen an increase in participants in its spin classes. “We have added two classes due to an increase in demand, partly because of the new Green Revolution bikes, but also in part to the usual increase during the busy season,” said Flynn, referring to January to March when more people attend fitness classes. The club currently runs 22 classes a week and looks to put more on the schedule. “We are maximizing our energy producing potential,” Flynn said.

Columbia Association

Green Revolution

LCD BacPack Gives the Hero Camera a Separate View

Sometimes when you’re capturing the action, you still want to see the action. The GoPro Hero cam, which was on display last January at the Consumer Electronics Show, now has the LCD BacPac, a detachable LCD screen that works with the GoPro Hero camera. Continue reading LCD BacPack Gives the Hero Camera a Separate View

Loksak Seals, Protects Your Phone on a Sweaty Run

Who doesn’t put their phone and ID in a zipper bag when they go on a long run, bike ride or other activity? I started sealing my phone and essentials a few years ago and it’s saved my goods in a few rain storms. Well Loksak has a line of bags for just that purpose, and they’re much more durable than what you find at your local grocery store.

aLoksak is a resealable bag that’s waterproof, dust proof and humidity proof. The bags were originally developed for SCUBA diving when the founder of the company realized he needed a 100 percent waterproof bag. There is a whole range of bags to fit many applications. There’s a number of bags the size of cell phones, iPods and other small electronic devices. The best part is that you can operate your devices, both buttons and touch screen, through the bag. You don’t need to expose your phone to the elements to look something up, or make a quick phone call. Continue reading Loksak Seals, Protects Your Phone on a Sweaty Run

Meet Copenhagen’s New Waste Treatment Plant and Ski Slope

A new waste-to-energy plant on the outskirts of Copenhagen will double as a recreational ski area. Design firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) won the design competition for client Amagerforbraending to create a waste-to-energy treatment plant on the crossroads between a residential neighborhood and an industrial zone. Another criteria for the building is to serve as a recreational area.

Continue reading Meet Copenhagen’s New Waste Treatment Plant and Ski Slope

Gym-Pact Taxes Gym No-Shows

Would you skip going to the gym if you knew you’d have to pay a penalty? In the past gym goers might get a discount from their health plan when they go to the gym regularly. However the motivation to work out may be that much stronger if you pay for the days you don’t show up.

Continue reading Gym-Pact Taxes Gym No-Shows

Craft’s Zero Extreme Concept Base Layer Gives You Wings

The new base layer top from Craft uses moving wing technology in panels across the back and cuffs. Craft uses its COOL Superlight outer fabric for its moving wing panels, which are places across the back and cuffs. This is a moisture management and temperature regulation measure. The COOL outer fabric allows air to circulate around your body and promote moisture expulsion while the ZERO fabric stays in contact with your body pulling excess moisture from your skin and keeping you warm. The base layer is suitable for winter and spring activities. That is those spring days where you still feel the bite of winter.

Continue reading Craft’s Zero Extreme Concept Base Layer Gives You Wings

Loeka Women’s Cycling Clothier Starts Recycling Program

It’s hard to let go of that loved cycling jersey, or the shorts with the perfect padding. If you recycle the garments, they really are going to a better place … back on the trails. Women’s mountain biking label Loeka Clothing just started a clothing recycling program that gives incentive to those who turn in their gear for recycling.

Loeka started manufacturing women’s mountain biking apparel in 2005; just enough time that the clothes might be showing just a little wear, or you might want to switch it up for a new design. Fill out a form on Loeka’s website and either mail in your gear or take it to a participating retailer. Retailers currently include Ruckus Skis, Boards and Bikes in Prince George BC; Ski Dazzle at Silverstar Resort; Mt Washington Alpine Resort, Mt Washington BC; Pedal Chic Greenville, South Carolina; and Iride Vermont, Stowe, Vermont.

Continue reading Loeka Women’s Cycling Clothier Starts Recycling Program

That’s a Hex of a Cable Keeper

If you’ve tried to listen to music while running then you know how hard it is to keep the cord from your headband from bouncing around. You may have stuffed it down your shirt; run it down your backside;  or like me, gone Bluetooth. For runners still wrestling with cables, Hex has a new cable keeper that promises to keep your cord in check on the run.

Continue reading That’s a Hex of a Cable Keeper

Namco Bandai Works Out with ExerBeat

A new rhythm-based fitness game promises more than 150 activities. That game is ExerBeat for the Nintendo Wii, which will be released by Namco Bandai in the spring. ExerBeat uses the Wii Remote to move you through over 150 simple yet challenging exercises. Expect varied workouts such as using the Wii’s balance board, boxing, karate, dancing hiphip and other styles and even fun activities such as the pizza toss. Of course you should toss the pizza, maybe not necessarily want to eat a pizza.

Continue reading Namco Bandai Works Out with ExerBeat

Deal of the Day: 30% Off Adidas miCoach Armband from Griffin

If you’re using the miCoach App from Adidas, then you need a case with a good strap or clip for your phone or player. Case maker Griffon is offering 30 percent off its Adidas miCoach armband. It’s normally $29.99, but click on the sale link today and get it for $20.99. While the armband is made to fit an iPhone or iPod Touch, it is made to accommodate most phones and players. It also has a pocket to store keys.

Continue reading Deal of the Day: 30% Off Adidas miCoach Armband from Griffin

Six Ways to Get Fit with Fit in Six

A new workout game will hit consoles in March. Fit in Six from Ubisoft will be available on the Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. As the title suggests, Fit in Six focuses on six modalities to get you in shape and reach your goals. Those are core body, upper body, lower body, cardio, balance and flexibility.

Continue reading Six Ways to Get Fit with Fit in Six