Think Bike
From: Beyond Urban Centers: Active Transportation in Rural America
A report by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy highlights cycling as an active transportation for exercise, commuting to work and running errands. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (2.18.12): Rails-to-Trails, Lance Armstrong, Shimano, NHTSA
Even though the company Lynskey Performance Products has only been around since 2006, the Lynskey name has been involved with the bicycle industry much longer. Back in 1986, David Lynskey merged his knowledge of exotic metals, gained through the years of experience that has family had in the metals industry, with his desire to build a lighter bike frame for competition. The result was the beginning of the titanium bicycle frame company, Litespeed. For the next 13 years, David Lynskey, along with other family members, were the faces behind the name ‘Litespeed’ until they sold the company to the American Bicycle Group in 1999. A few years went by and the non-compete agreements expired, but the desire to build titanium bicycle frames never did die. In 2005, with the encouragement of their mother, the Lynskey family decided to jump back into the bicycle business and Lynskey Performance Products was born on January 1, 2006. Video after the jump
Normally winter in the backcountry means deep snow – but this year it can mean patches of dirt, grass and rocks. That not only can ruin a day on the skis, but in many cases it can also ruin the skis. Fortunately Marquette Backcountry Skis, which is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has created a hybrid pair of skis that are a little bit cross-country, a little bit downhill and even a bit of snowshoe.
The Backcountry Skis are not meant to replace either cross-country or downhill skis, but as a hybrid they offer benefits from each. Video after the jump
Accessories-maker Snow Lizard Products has introduced what could be the perfect rugged case for the iPhone 4 and 4S: the AQUA TEK S. The tank-like case not only gives your iPhone waterproof protection, but a built-in batter and solar charger gives your iPhone an extra boost of power (with these devices getting more and more power hungry, that’s welcome, especially if you’re outdoors without access to a power outlet).
The case is waterproof up to 20 feet and can withstand drops. A top lid opens up to easily let you remove or insert an iPhone, and all the iPhone external buttons are accessible via corresponding external buttons on the case.
However, there’s a catch: it’s not for sale, yet. It looks like Snow Lizard is looking for some financial backing for this product and is utilizing Kickstarter. Snow Lizard plans to sell it at retail for $130, but if you pledge $25, $175, $1,000, or $5,000, Snow Lizard is including some extras for those who get in early, like ski passes to Utah resorts.
Check out the video and more info on the AQUA TEK S Kickstarter page.
Fiber rich foods are heart healthy. There’s no debating that. However, the jury is still out on fiber-enriched foods, according to an NPR article. Fiber additives might not have the same health benefits as foods with fiber.
Food scientists believe added fiber sources such as sugarcane fiber, oat fiber and a resistant corn starch – which aren’t normally ingredients in foods such as breads – add fiber, but not always the benefits you’re looking for. The fact is that it’s not yet known whether the fiber in an apple, or other fruits, is what makes the food so healthy, or if it’s a combination of other ingredients in the fruit.
Continue reading That Old ‘Apple-a-Day’ Adage Still Rings True
How important is sleep? For many the lack of quality sleep can mean being sluggish during the day, but it can make all the difference in the world between a good performance and a great performance. Now Zeo, a sleep management company, has announced that it has teamed up with Athletes’ Performance into a training program aimed at elite and professional athletes, as well as military personnel.
Zeo’s recent Sleep Like an All Star publication featured the results of a study conducted by sleep and sports expert Cheri Mah of Stanford University, which demonstrated that more sleep helped collegiate football players take 0.15 seconds off their 40-yard dash, basketball players increase their free throw shooting by 11 percent, and swimmers improve their reaction time off the starting block by 17 percent. Now the results will be seen for themselves. Continue reading The Power of Sleep to Help Athlete’s Performance
This winter has been for many parts of the United States the year without much snow. Even when it has snowed the white stuff hasn’t been on the ground for long. This has been good for local communities as it means less money has been spent clearing the roads, and ski resorts are surviving (if not exactly thriving) as they can make manmade snow.
So it seems like a win-win, unless you’re a kid hoping to get some time on the slopes with your sled. Most communities don’t have the snow making capabilities of the resorts so this means no snow on the local sled hill. Now fortunately Polish designer Szymon Hanczar has something for those brave souls who want the thrill of sledding but don’t have snow. He’s introduced the We Never Give Up!, a modern sled that features a minimalist design that works on flat, sloping surfaces. And for those not brave enough to actually ride this thing, it could double as a coffee table!
Hanczar Design
[Via Design Milk: We Never Give Up! Modern Sled]
Additional photos of this potential death trap
We know it’s just not always practical to don a spandex outfit to get on the bike. If you’re headed to the store, office or café you might want a more casual look. German company Vaude has come out with a pair of rain-repellent bike pants that look like jeans.
Last September we heard about the Survival Straps, which were wearable paracord in the form of a bracelet. These straps basically were there when you need it, and now Bison Designs is upping the ante with the Flint and Steel Survival Bracelet, a three in one survival kit.
Rather than just offering a few yards of paracord – which don’t get us wrong, can come in very handy at times – this one also features stainless steel hidden sharp eye knife with unique 1” blade and circle handle. The toggle also works as 1-inch flint fire starter, meaning this one can do a lot more than just tie boots or act as splint. Continue reading Bison Survival Bracelet and More
Motion tracking devices have made some major strides in the last couple of years, and now InvenSense, a provider of motion tracking technology, announced this week the availability of its MotionFit System Developers Kit (SDK). This promises to help accelerate design and commercialization of wearable sensor devices for the growing fitness and remote health monitoring markets.
And while this is big news it comes ina small package, as the SKD consists of a small 40mm x 37mm development board incorporating the InvenSense MPU-9150 single chip 9-axis MotionTracking device, a pressure sensor for altitude tracking, a TI MSP430 microcontroller with external serial flash for data logging, a 110mA/hr rechargeable battery, and communication via USB or Bluetooth interfaces enabling real-time streaming of data to smartphones. Continue reading MotionFit Ready For Developers
The iPhone can do a lot but there is no app for making it waterproof. For that you need a case, and while there are plenty of big and bulky housings available, the Keystone ECO MarineCase is another good option as it is slim and compact but will still ensure that the smartphone can survive underwater up to 20 feet or six meters.
The clear protective silicon cover allows for use of the iPhone screen and won’t interfere with call functionality. Users can still playback video, send email, use apps and more whilst sill in the water. The IP58 certified case will protect the handset from snow, rain, dust and sand, and even let users snap non-flash photos and take video underwater.
The annual SXSW (South by South West) trade show is a week and half event that encompasses interactive, film and music. And this year the Austin, Texas-based event, which has made strides to be environmentally conscious, is offering its first-ever bike share program.
This week urban transport specialist Tern Bicycles announced it would serve as the event’s exclusive cycling industry partner. Dubbed “SXcycles,” the bike share program will be available Friday, March 9, through Tuesday, March 13, from 9:00am until 2:00am. SXSW-Interactive features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology. Continue reading Tern Bicycles Goes to SXSW
Wiley X has a new line of glasses that look like they could pretty much stop a bullet. These five-new-for 2012 models include the WX Valor (left), the , WX Censor, WX Gravity and WX Twisted. All Black Ops Collection shades feature Smoke Grey lenses and stealthy, Rx-ready Matte Black frames.
While the Wiley X Black Ops Collection is the leading choice of law enforcement, Secret Service and other tactical wearers, you don’t need to need to have special clearance to wear these glasses. Each of these new Black Ops sunglass models meets the stringent ANSI-Z87.1-2003 High Velocity and High Mass impact safety rating.
Leading the way is the new Black Ops WX Valor, which is part of Wiley X’s popular Changeable Series, and the ballistic quality spectacle meets the updated GL-PD 10-12 MCEP Standard (superseding the MIL-PRF 31013 Ballistic Standard). These tactical sunglasses are designed for easy changing of optional lenses in the field, for the ultimate in versatility — with additional lenses available in Grey, Clear and Rust. Additional photos after the jump