New York Cyclist Responds to Ticket for “Not Riding in Bike Lane”

As a former resident of New York City for 18 years I relate to filmmaker Casey Neistat, 29, who was ticketed for not riding his bicycle in the bike lane. We feel his pain.

I for one can add that in Harlem, the Police actually parked their cars in the bike lane by the local precinct, claiming there was no other nearby parking. So thank you Casey for making your film that shows how almost useless the NYC bike lanes can be.

Photos of the Harlem bike lanes after the jump.

Continue reading New York Cyclist Responds to Ticket for “Not Riding in Bike Lane”

The Force Will Be With These Shoes

Remember how Anakin Skywalker was all melted and eventually become Darth Vadar with that black suit. That has nothing to do with these shoes exactly, but it is hard not to think of that scene when we read about the ForceShoes and see that these are basically high-tech sandals.

In truth the shoes, which were developed by researchers at the University of Twente’s MIRA research institute in the Netherlands are designed to measure precise force and movements when someone walks. These were develoed as a means of facilitating the rehabilitation process from people who have suffered a stroke or had degrees of paralysis on one side of the body. As those patients have often had to learn to walk again, it can be a difficult experience and these shoes can analyze how said patient walks or what forces are exerted to the ground.

Wireless connections transmission data gathered from four sensors modules located throughout the shoe’s soles, and each of these measures the force and movement. While these aren’t commercially available, we hope that these will help patients in the very near future. May the force be with these shoes!

[Via Gizmag.com: ForceShoes enable extremely precise tracking of how their wearer walks]

Recall: Magicshine Lights… So Hot, They’re Smokin’

Back in October 2010, Datseplots Inc., DBA GeoManGear, received a consumer complaint regarding a lithium-ion battery for the Magicshine series of lights that are made in China and sold through GeoManGear in the U.S. The consumer reported that a small fire had occurred in the battery pack for his Magicshine light. Upon investigation, two other similar reports came in from other consumers that did not include bodily damage, but did include property damage. GeoManGear took these reports seriously and investigated. They found that there was an issue with some of the battery parks in the Magicshine Series I and II lithium-ion batteries sold with the Magicshine 900 Lumen (MJ-808), 1400 Lumen (MJ-816) and tail light (MJ-818); they immediately stopped production on the Magicshine lights and initiated a recall. Continue reading Recall: Magicshine Lights… So Hot, They’re Smokin’

Tees Worthy of an Epoch

It might be easy to dismiss a golf tee as a small part of the game, but the pros go the extra distance with the Epoch Golf Tees from Evolve Golf. The company lives up to its name by creating tees that will stand the test of the time and help players evolve to the next level.

Since 2004 the tees have been used in 127 wins on tour. The revolutionary/evolutionary tees feature “radius posts” that span the width of the ball’s dimples, and this creates the lowest coefficient of friction of any tee currently on the market, and thus eliminates deflection at the moment of impact, while further increasing ball speed and control off the tee. The result is longer shots on the fairway.

The Epoch are available in three lengths – 3.25-inchs, 2.75-inches and 1.5-inches and are priced from $3.99 to $6.99. But can you put a price on evolution?

Evolve Golf Official Website
[Via BeSportier.com: Professional Golf Tees : Epoch Golf Tees]

BodyMedia Announces new API

BodyMedia, the maker of body monitoring devices, has announced a developer API (Application Programming Interface), which should encourage developers to explore and discover new applications to help people know their bodies and improve their lives.

To meet these goals BodyMeida has partnered with Mashery, an API management and strategic services company, to create new apps, either within the existing lifestyle management platform or to apply the unique BodyMedia technology into new spaces, which could include gaming, fitness, entertainment or social networking.

“We want to take our unique data right from the Armbands of our consumers and put it directly into the hands of developers to discover new uses and markets,” stated Ivo Stivoric, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, BodyMedia, Inc. “Our goal is to enable more people to leverage the powerful BodyMedia tools to expand the positive impact of body monitoring.” Continue reading BodyMedia Announces new API

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Provides Stage Details

We know that not everyone can, or even wants to ride like the pros. But there is no denying that professional cycling helps spread the word about the benefits of using a bicycle for fitness. It brings awareness to bicycles and that hopefully also means safer roads.

Cycling is on the rise in the United States and we’re seeing new races, including this year’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a free event for spectators to see 128 of the world’s top riders compete in a seven day race. This will some of the most scenic locations in Colorado, not to mention the world.

The course, which will include the Cottonwood Pass and Independence Pass will also take riders to some of the highest peaks in the world.

“What’s really remarkable is that the athletes will ride both these passes in one stage,” said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. “There is no better place in the world for athletes to test their endurance and pure athleticism than Colorado, and there is no better place to watch a professional cycling race than in the Colorado Rockies.”

The race takes place from August 22-28.

Video after the jump, along with stage details. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge Provides Stage Details

Sunice Makes for Nice Fitness Attire

There have long been clothes that look stylish and clothes that are good for fitness. Sunice is working so that this doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive ever again. Canada’s number one outerwear company announced last week a new fabric for its Typhoon category.

Zephal is a lightweight, quieter performing fabric that feels good and provides a whole lot of style. The Typhoon category encompasses all that represents a very well designed, lightweight rainsuit with a 3 year waterproof guarantee. Textured materials accentuated with strategically placed stretch inserts makes Typhoon a great fashion essential for golf by fulfilling expectations of looks and performance.

“As Sunice continues its search for the most technical, performance driven fabrics for golf, we are confident that the Zephal collection will continue to grow as it’s supple hand feel and light weight are so perfectly suited to the sport,” said Heidi Rowsell, Marketing Manager for Sunice. “This category makes fashion and function very affordable in a fully waterproof and breathable suit. It’s tough to beat on price, performance and looks.”

The fact that it is waterproof yet breathable means that the Sunice attire will be good in the sun or rain. So very NICE from Sunice.

Sunice Official Website

E3 2011: UFC Personal Trainer – This Time Its Personal

Enter the Octagon, where two men enter – and eventually both men leave after a serious workout. That’s sort of the idea behind THQ’s UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System. We at KineticShift take a bit of offense at the idea that a video game would be the “Ultimate Fitness System,” but this upcoming game features more than 70 MMA and NASM-approved exercises, including moves from disciplines including wrestling, kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Basically this is a bit of shadow boxing, shadow kicking and the like. There are 51 routines, and users can focus on specific fitness objectives and even target specific muscle groups. While we also don’t think this game alone will get you in ultimate shape, we could see that this could be part of a well round workout that is anything but routine.

Video after the jump:

Continue reading E3 2011: UFC Personal Trainer – This Time Its Personal

E3 2011: Your Shape Evolves From Ubisoft

This week in Los Angeles Ubisoft offered a peek at its upcoming Kinect fitness title for the Xbox 360. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012, the sequel to the original Your Shape game, promises to provide more user feedback along with more than 90 hours of new content. The game will track a user’s movements, and provides more detailed feedback to help you work out.

The game will include a variety of workout routines including the ability jump rope and do basic aerobic exercises. But the really cool part of this one promises to be the “Run the World” mode, which allows players to virtually run through the streets of New York, Paris or London – given that this reporter has actually run in those cities I can’t wait to see this in action when the game is released this November, exclusively on Kinetic for the Xbox 360.

Video after the jump: Continue reading E3 2011: Your Shape Evolves From Ubisoft

E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room

There are some games that just make instant sense, and then there are the games like Michael Phelps: Push the Limit. In this one players get to try to go for the gold and beyond in a swimming game – pool not required, not included and not compatible.

A swimming game for the living room? That’s right. The idea behind this motion control game is that players simulate swimming, moving their arms to simulate the motion of swimming in the water. The upcoming game utilizes Kinect for the Xbox 360 and from the scenes on the show floor it could get gamers’ hearts pumping. It features a variety of unique settings – but it isn’t exactly the career path that Phelps took. We figured he swam in school pools, city pools and Olympic pools, not in outdoor pools on icy mountain ranges. But that’s artistic license.

This is one that could be hit or miss, or dare we say sink or swim. Michael Phelps: Push the Limit is out now exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360 from 505 Games.

Video after the jump: Continue reading E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room

RageGage Smash Pad is the New Electronic Koosh Ball

Few of us can achieve total Zen at all times. A fight with a loved one, bumper-to-bumper traffic, waiting in a non-moving line, a surly waiter, and a million other similar agonizing things can send the blood pressure through the roof. But if you find yourself constantly in a state of rage over the smallest things, you might want to cool it. Studies have shown that anger can lead to heart-related diseases such as a stroke or heart attack (and if you’ve felt rage, you’ve probably experienced the physical pain in your chest and head). When the blood starts to boil, consider channeling that anger into a nice workout at the gym or a run in the park.

When exercise or physical activity (and we don’t mean punching someone) isn’t an option, add this gizmo to your life: the RageGage Smash Pad. As its name suggests, the gel pad lets you smash on it to your heart’s content or until the anger subsides. It also spews insult-hurling phrases to help you focus all that negative energy out of your system as quickly as possible. You can also download custom voices (for example, ‘Lush Rimbaugh’ [right wing shock jock] and ‘Valley Girl’ [a brain-dead, Chihuahua-clutching hotel heiress]), and use it as a controller for RageGage games on Facebook.

We don’t know how likely the RageGage Smash Pad will cure anger management issues, but at $20 it makes a good last-minute Father’s Day gift.

RAGEGAGE

Woolrich Adds Agion Odor-Fighting Tech

Like Levi’s, Woolrich is a bit of Americana fashion that’s well recognized around the world. The familiar red-and-black flannel shirt is quintessentially Woolrich even to those who don’t own a piece of outdoors clothing. The 180-year-old-plus brand is experiencing a bit of resurgence as of late, in particular in the high-end fashion market. Woolrich might be old, but it’s ably keeping up with modern times by incorporating fresh designs and technology.

At Outdoor Retailer earlier this year, Woolrich announced they have paired up with Wakefield, Mass.-based Agion to include Agion’s Active odor eliminating technology in Fall 2011 lineup of Merino wool and polyester blend base layers, the first company to do so in the outdoors industry.

Agion’s odor-busting tech is based on silver, and has been incorporated in a variety of products that include electronics and apparel. According to Woolrich, “Agion Active features a dual action technology that not only provides antimicrobial product protection and industrial-strength odor elimination, but also eliminates odors both on and around the fabric. Silver ion antimicrobial technology stops propagation of odor causing bacteria on the fabric, while a natural, proprietary odor-trapping solution captures molecules from ambient odors. Unlike previous odor control solutions, Agion Active eliminates odor from over 14 sources, achieving performance well beyond what has been offered to the consumer. Agion Active regenerates with each the wash and continues to perform for the life of the garment.”

The Agion Active gear is 50/50 polyester and Merino blend, available in crew and half-zip shirts for men and half-zip and V-neck shirts for women. Fibers are very fine so they should feel comfortable under the heavier stuff you’re packing on to your body. In addition to the smell-fighting tech, the apparel helps regulate body temperature and offers moisture wicking, quick drying, and UPF 40+ protection.

The Woolrich with Agion Active garments will be available this fall and sell for $59 to $69.

WOOLRICH