Author: KineticShift

Mudders Leave No Warrior Behind

httpv://youtu.be/1WyzDabEvoQ

The Wound Warrior Project is ready to get dirty. This weekend a team of wounded warriors will take on a new challenge- Tough Mudder Arizona. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Alumni will travel from around the state to participate in this mud-filled obstacle course.

The WWP Physical Health & Wellness team will take a group of wounded warriors to participate in Tough Mudder events across the country at no cost to the WWP Alumni as well as training beforehand. As a team they’ll climb through mud, dive into freezing water, climb 15-foot walls and weave in and out of electrically charged wires.

While the wound warriors face this challenge, hundreds of others “Mudders” will be raising money for WWP. Each Tough Mudder participant is asked during enrollment if they would like to donate or fundraise for the organization. So far, Tough Mudder has raised $6 million for wounded warriors!

Wounded Warrior Project Official Website
Tough Mudder Official Website

True Colors

2014-U.S.-National-Team-AwaNike Soccer has unveiled the 2014 U.S. National Team Away jersey – and it offers a lot of red, white and blue, yet still sort of doesn’t say America. A number of countries – the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Russia come to mind – as having the same colors. However, it does feature 13 red and white stripes to represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence and formed the first states on the back of the neck in a pennant tab.

Nike Soccer also noted that the “kit aids performance by regulating player’s body temperature during the course of the match. By using a combination of Nike Dri-FIT Technology, ‘burnout’ mesh and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localize cooling where players need it most.”

The kit also features Nike Dri-FIT technology, which pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where it evaporates more quickly, while laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased breathability and airflow across the skin.

Press Release: Nike Soccer Unveils 2014 U.S. National Team Away Kit

Knock Out Game

Virtual-KnockOutThe infamous “knock out game” that kids may be playing on the streets is no joke, but the truth is boxing can be a good way to burn some calories and relieve some stress. Virtual KnockOut looks to go from mobile boxing game to a realistic, full impact boxing training. The developer have launched a Kickstarter project to bring the game to market.

“The days of boring workouts are over,” says Pete Gustin, founder and CEO. “With mobile technology, manufacturers can deliver arcade quality experiences at incredibly affordable price.”

By combining mitt trainers with a mobile app users can punch away and make a real game of it! Video after the jump

Pure Fixie!

Pure-Fix-CoolidgePure Fix Cycles has lowered the bar – so to speak. The company has added a new premium fixed-gear ride to its collection – the Coolidge drop-bar bike. It features 4130 chromoly frame, 700x25c Thickslick tires, 30-millimeter 700c wheels built around sealed bearing hubs, Tektro front brake, raked chrome fork and polished silver quill stem. It comes 50, 54 and 58 cm, with weights ranging from 19 to 21 pounds.

It could have you down in such a good way.

Pure Fix Cycles Official Website

Staged Crash Scene

Crash-SceneThis might seem like a not-so-funny April Fool’s joke, but it is a very serious effort to raise awareness to a serious problem. The BBC reported that last month the police in Belarus staged what appeared to be a crash scene with a “dead cyclist” to raise awareness regarding a dangerous stretch of road.

The scene was set up to resemble a “hit-and-run” complete with mangled cycle, tire tracks and a dummy that stood in for an injured (even dead) cyclist. The sad part reported the BBC is that just nine people out of 186 cars that drove past actually took the time to stop!

[Via BBC: Police stage cycle crash in road safety campaign]

Backcountry Hits the Trails

BackCountryOnline retailer Backcountry.com has announced that it is launching its first pro mountain bike team, which will include a four-person squad to race in cross-country and stage races across North America this year. The team, which will race on Niner bikes, and consists of rider-manager Jason Sager, Chloe Woodruff, Evelyn Dong and TJ Woodruff, also expects to compete at the Mongolian Bike Challenge.

“Mountain biking is at the core of who we are as a brand and being able to extend our expert gear knowledge to the trail and support the sport is a priority,” said Jill Layfield, Backcountry.com’s CEO. “Assembling a pro team of this caliber that possesses the tools to compete at the highest level is a natural extension of our cycling brands and culture.”

Besides Niner, other team sponsors include: Geax, Clifbar, Louis Garneau, FSA, WTB, Chris King, ENVE, SRAM, Crankbrothers, Eureka, Jet Boil and Gore Bike Wear. The team kit shows the Backcountry.com logo and trademark mountain goat on the front and legs. The company’s bike-specific e-commerce site, Competitivecyclist.com, is featured on the shoulders.

Backcountry.com Official Website

April Fools? NEMBA Stay Off The Muddy Trails Or A Kitten Dies PSA

httpv://youtu.be/sr_ISTB33J0

This is no April Fools joke actually. The New England Mountain Bike Association is noting that the calendar may say spring but that the trails are likely to be muddy and suggests that riders stay off them and allow the trails to dry. They added the kitten part too!

Royal Attire

SkinsuitThe new skinsuit developed by King’s College London is far from “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” This special skinsuit, which was developed with help from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), could help counteract the degradation of bone and muscle mass during long term exposure to microgravity.

The conditions of space can be harmful to the backs, and can result in a slipped disc back on Earth.

“Here on Earth we are constantly resisting gravity, meaning that even by sitting and walking around we’re exercising our muscles and bones,” said Phil Carvil of the Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences (CHAPS) at King’s College. “In space the loading effect of gravity is removed and as a consequence, astronauts’ bones and muscles aren’t getting the natural forces they need to keep them healthy.”

The skinsuit could also be used on Earth to counteract the effects of ageing on bone density and muscle mass.

[Via King’s College: ‘Skinsuit’ to help astronauts avoid back problems in space]

Wello There!

WelloThere are plenty of fitness trackers on the market, but the Wello Health Tracker is much more. It is designed to provide reliable information about your body, and can provide instant feedback while watching your patterns that help users better manage their lives. It can monitor blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, temperature and even lung function and ECG without the need for special equipment or wires.

Wello Official Website

Intense to the Extreme

IntenseIntense Cycles has looked to show that it has staying power with its new endure/trail bike. Two years after debuting its aluminum Tracer 27.5, the company has rolled out the Tracer T725 Carbon, which features 145/160 millimeters of adjustable VPP suspension, monocoque front triangle, ISCG 05 mounts, internal cable routing and 142×12 dropouts.

Bicycle Retailer reports that the Tracer T275 carbon frame retails for $3,199, and builds range from the $5,999 Expert level — with 34 Fox Float Evolution fork, XT drivetrain and brakes, Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Flow wheelset and Fox Evolution Float CTD rear shock — to a $9,999 Factory-level build with RockShox Pike RCT3 fork, SRAM XX1 11-speed drivetrain, XTR brakes and Enve/DT Swiss wheels. The builds come standard with a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post.

Intense Cycles Official Website

In the Blood

ConcussionBlood tests can reveal a lot of information and researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden have now developed a blood test that reveals the severity of a concussion. This could also allow a player

know when it is safe to return to the game. This is done through measurement of the tau, a special nerve cell protein, and can be used to determine if at elevated levels whether there is a concussion.
By measuring th tau levels in a regular blood test, the researchers could say how severe the concussion was just one hour after the injury, and with a high level of certainty could predict which players would have long-term symptoms and thereby needed to rest longer.

“In ice hockey and other contact sports, repeated concussions are common, where the brain has not finished healing after the first blow. This kind of injury is particularly dangerous, but there have not been any methods for monitoring how a concussion in an athlete heals,” says Henrik Zetterberg.

[Via University of Gothenburg: Blood test identifies brain damage from concussion in ice hockey]

Rocky Mountain Low

RockyMountsWhile there is something to be said for the Rocky Mountain High, cycling accessory maker RockyMounts is now about the lows. The company has introduced a new low-profile crossbars and towers for bikes and ski racks.

The Ouray Crossbar and Flagstaff Towers will reportedly integrate with most vehicle’s factory roof rails. These are meant to be mount together, but are compatible with other RockyMounts base rack systems as well.
“This new system represents another step forward for us in terms of not only carrying your gear, but enhancing your vehicle in the process,” said Bruno Maier, president of RockyMounts, Inc. “Just because you like to play outside doesn’t mean you should have to compromise efficiency and aesthetics when it comes to your vehicle.”

RockyMounts Official Website