Looking Hip

HipsterIt was no April Fools this week when Mt. Borah announced that the April Jersey of the Month would be the Hipster, a jersey that will feel at home on the trails to the post-ride pub. It features an urban plaid design that it is hip wherever it goes.

Mt. Borah Men’s Hipster Jersey of the Month
Mt. Borah Women’s Hipster Jersey of the Month

Olympus Gets Tough Again

Olympus-Stylus-TG-3Olympus has risen – with a new rugged camera we mean. The new Olympus Stylus Tough TG-3 is ready to go where the adventure takes you. It is freezeproof to -14 degrees F, waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof from seven feet, crushproof to 220 lbs., and dustproof. It features a high-speed f2.0 lens, 16MP backlit CMOS sensor, and TruePic VII image processor, which are joined by 1080p Full HD video recording, a 3-inch LCD monitor, GPS, and built-in Wi-Fi.

Olympus Official Website

Wahoo on Google

WahooWahoo Fitness is now offering its mobile fitness app for Android devices and it can be found in the Google Play Store. With it Android users can combine the app with Wahoo Fitness products and sensors to track heart rate and stride rate data, cycling speed, cadence, and power data for running and cycling activities. At launch, Wahoo products supported by the Android app include: TICKR, BlueHR, BlueSC, RPM and the KICKR trainer. Additional products will be supported in the coming months.

“Over 80 percent of the smartphones shipped around the world run on Android. That’s well over a billion athletes that can now leverage the full power of Wahoo products and sensors to enhance and inspire their workout,” said Chip Hawkins, Wahoo’s CEO. “The most powerful fitness device that most athletes have access to is the smartphone right in their pocket. True to our belief that athletes should have the right to choose, we’re clearly very happy to bring another OS platform to the Wahooligan community.”

Google Play: Wahoo Fitness

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