Shot at Survival

Survival-SlingshotThose preparing for the end of the world know to stock up on ammo – because once it is used up there won’t be more. As a backup there is always the Survival Slingshot, a multipurpose weapon that can shot slingshot balls and arrows. It features a whisker biscuit that allows a variety of arrows to be used.

It also has a rail system that can also hold a flashlight; while a compass will let you know what direction you’re headed. This certainly isn’t Bart Simpson’s or Dennis the Menace’s slingshot! More like something Rambo might use.

Survival Slingshot Official Website

The Other 1%

treadmillThere is much hatred of the 1%, but at the same time 1% has seemed to be the default. No, we’re not talking about politics or economics. We’re actually talking about how there has been a long standing debate as whether 1% should be the default setting on a treadmill incline to simulate outdoor running. The idea is that running on a treadmill with a slight incline simulates the need to displace the air in front of the runner.

Casey Kerrigan, founder and president of Oesh Shoes, says that there is no science out there to support this theory.

In her blog she writes:

“What many people don’t realize is that in that same study, there was no difference in energy between running outside and on a treadmill with 0% incline for speeds up to 7.5 miles per hour (equivalent to a 8 minute mile). In any event, if you feel like it’s easier to run on a treadmill, all you have to do, is increase the speed.”

[Via Runner’s World: Biomechanics Expert Debunks Treadmill-Running Myths]
[Via Oesh: My Scientific / Personal Advice for Treadmill Training]

The Bicycle Game

Biking-GameIf you can’t get out and ride you can still enjoy bicycles on the table. The Schwinn Biking Game allows two to eight players – ages four an up – to race around the board and be the first cyclist back to their parking spot to win the game. If a player’s bike lands on a Schwinn Bike Shop square, the player immediately moves his or her piece to the bike shop and reads a Fun Fact card aloud, ending his turn.

The game is being produced by Michigan based board game company Education Outdoors.

Education Outdoors Official Website

Surf’s UP!

Warning: Graphic Content in Video and in image below.

Australian professional surfer knows something about riding on big swells. Now he’s created his own “big swell” so to speak with a rather phallic looking surfboard, which he unveiled on his FollowTheFish.TV website.

We’re not sure why someone would want to hang ten on a penis-shaped surfboard, but apparently Fisher liked the idea of hanging ten while looking… well, hung? Photo of the board after the jump

Golden Ticket for Soretta

AlchemyLast year high-end bicycle company Serotta closed shop, but in the past month Alchemy Bicycle Company has reportedly been in talks with Ben Serotta to develop a new retailer strategy. Alchemy makes stock and custom frames and bikes in a variety of materials at its shop in Denver, and it is working with Serotta to help avoid the same pitfalls that he encountered.

“I think I bring 40 years of lessons-learned — the good, the bad, the ugly — it’s all experience,” Serotta told Bicycle Retaielr. “Alchemy has a fabulous foundation, a great and committed ownership and staff, but they are also smart enough to know they haven’t grown a bike manufactory before, smart enough to realize there are pitfalls, and I think I can help them navigate some of the growth issues and avoid the pitfalls so they can grow more effectively.”

Does this mean that Serotta could once again roll out bikes? Stay tuned.

[Via Bicycle Retailer: Alchemy Bicycle works with Ben Serotta on retail strategy]

Ricoh Out With Rugged Cameras

RicohRicoh has the camera to reach for on your next adventure. The company has introduced three new rugged cameras that include the WG-4 GPS, WG-4 and WG-20 – all of which will work with a new action-oriented mounting system. These actually build on the Pentax WG line, which makes sense as Ricoh bought the Japanese camera maker in 2011. The Ricoh name will now be used for compact cameras such as these.

The camera lineup includes the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS, each of which feature a 16megapixel CMOS sensor and sensor shift shake reduction. Each can shoot Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, and both are waterproof to 45 feet, shock resistant to just over six feet, and are crushproof to 220 pounds. These are even ideal winter sports cameras as they can endure temperatures to 14 degrees F! The WG-4/WG-4 GPS features a three inch LCD display, and offer a ring of six LED marco lights as well as traditional flash. The WG-4 GPS includes a GPS unit (obviously enough) to record position data and a travel log data.

The WG-20 has many of the features of the above models, but is meant as the introductory version. It is waterproof to 33 feet, shock resistant to five feet, but still crushproof to 220 pounds and can endure up to 14 degrees F. It is smaller than the WG-4 and can shoot HD video at 720p at 30 fps. It features a 14megapixel CCD sensor and has a 2.7 inch LCD screen.

All three cameras are also compatible with Ricoh’s new mounting systems that includes a handlebar mount, suction cup mount and adhesive mount. Mount up and reach for one of these Ricoh cameras.

Ricoh Official Website

British ClubCrown

ClubCrownHeavy is the head that wears the crown, but for golfers ClubCrown provides an innovative way to personalize and improve the look and style of any driver, fairway wood or hybrid.

ClubCrown by VIVE announced that its product line is now being distributed in the United Kingdom. Alan Sterling, former member of the Royal Institute of Chemistry, has established a new company in the United Kingdom – ClubCrownUK for the distribution of the ClubCrown product.

“Since the product debut in the US in July 2012, golfers in the UK have been emailing us asking when the product would be available in their market”, said Andrew Glaser, ClubCrown CEO. “After an exhaustive search for a great partner, we found Alan Sterling to run ClubCrownUK. Alan has extensive entrepreneurial experience and I have the utmost confidence that he is the best person to bring our incredible revolutionary crown graphic technology to the UK.”

“I am very proud to have been appointed the sole UK distributor for ClubCrown, states Alan Sterling, Director of ClubCrownUK. “There has been an incredible amount of pent up demand in the UK for the ClubCrown product since its inception in 2012. With features on CNBC, The Golf Channel, Golf Digest, GolfWRX, and many more, ClubCrown is set to bring a revolution in golf customization to the masses. Andrew and Brendan, co-owners of ClubCrown, have been fantastic to work with and I look forward to years of great success. In describing the roll out to the UK market, Alan Sterling states, “We have already appointed ClubCrownUK Agents but look forward to appointing more in the near future. I intend to get around to as many courses and retailers as possible to share this amazing product with golfers and professionals as the spring season gets underway.”

ClubCrown Official Website

More Chrome for the Bike

Chrome Chrome Industries continues to shine. The bag maker has introduced the latest addition to its line of Knurled Welded Waterproof Rolltop bags for bike camping, adventure cycling and all-weather commuting. We saw these at last fall’s Interbike and these are finally ready for the daily ride. These are made with a proprietary technology that combines RF welding with a mechanical interlock. These offer a watertight rolltop closure and a loop system for bag expansion, and the result is a durable, lightweight and 100 percent waterproof bag. Continue reading More Chrome for the Bike

Adidas Gets a Boost 2

AdidasLast week Adidas introduced its Energy Boost 2, which offers a complete technical upgrade including BOOST cushioning that returns more energy than any other foam in the running industry. The new running shoes further offer a one-piece translucent heel to mid-foot fit cage that locks you on top of the full-length BOOST midsole to create an enhanced, more stable fit. Visually, the new design allows for more a more refined aesthetic.

“BOOST has blazed the trail for Energy Running and reflects adidas’ commitment to strategic performance innovation,” said Eric Liedtke, global head of performance at adidas. “As the shoe that helped us introduce BOOST, Energy Boost 2 demonstrates the elaborate research and cutting edge development required to satisfy today’s Energy Running crave.”

Adidas Official Website

Pioneer Powers Up

PioneerWe know Pioneer Electronics for producing what was one of the best plasma TVs on the market. Sadly those days are in the past but the company is rolling forward with other exciting products including a new bicycle power meter system that includes an updated SGX-CA500 Cycle Computer that displays power data. It features built-in Wi-Fi as well as ANT+ and as it is black and white instead of color has fallen in price from $900 to a down to earth $300. Continue reading Pioneer Powers Up

Time to Walk

WalkaboutGiven the seemingly endless winter that is still going strong in many parts of North America and it might be a tall order to get people out and walking. However, Dr. Andrew Weil in partnership with Vionic Footwear and celebrity trainer Juliet Kaska kicked off the annual Walkabout – a 28-day quest for good health – this week. The Walkabout campaign encourages the public to make a commitment to their health and start walking as little as 30 minutes a day.

“Walking is what your body is designed to do. It strengthens almost every major organ in the body, promotes bone density, and boosts the immune system,” says Dr. Weil. “There’s no special skill, training or equipment needed, just the right footwear.”

Hopefully Mother Nature will let up a bit and let more people get out and get walking, as research has shown that walking as little as 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 40 percent.

Participants in the Walkabout will receive fitness tips from Juliet Kaska to increase the walking challenge from Juliet Kaska and healthy recipe ideas from Dr. Weil via weekly emails and social media in addition to the chance to win prizes. The grand prize winner, who completes the walking challenge will win a trip to L.A. and train with Juliet Kaska to get ‘Red Carpet Ready’ and be well on their way to achieving fitness and improving their odds in beating heart disease.

2014 Walkabout Official Website

RaceWare Goes 3D (Printing)

RaceWareCustomized products are nothing new, but RaceWare Direct is taking it up a notch thanks to 3D printing technologies. The company will soon be offering products that can be very customizable when it comes to color and text, and is offering a number of bicycle mounts in both 3D printed nylon and titanium.

The online customization service will launch later this year.

RaceWare Direct Official Website

Blue Logic Cadence

BioLogicBioLogic has introduced a new wireless speed and cadence sensor that can transmit directly to a mobile device via Bluetooth 4.0 and is thus capable with Android and iOS. The sensor is powered by a single CR2032 battery that is said to provide up to 700 hours of riding data. The Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence sensor (MSRP: $45.95) will be available in the second quarter of 2014.

BioLogic Official Website