USA Cycling Seeks to Ban the Helmet Cam on Race Day

We’ve written about several helmet cams, cameras that mount on your helmet while you ride on some precarious single track, capture footage of daring maneuvers in traffic, or film the race while you’re riding. That last one may be off limits depending on upcoming revisions made by the USAC Board of Trustees to the rules for 2011.

There are a handful of proposed changes, which will be open to a period of feedback from the community, but the camera is the use of technology while riding, so we’re looking at that. It’s also one of the big items mentioned in an article on VeloNews.

The article states, “This rule would ban the attaching of any non-stock items — including cameras, visors and fairings — to helmets during a race.” Cyclists can still attach a camera to the bike itself during a race. The argument is that when you attach a camera to the helmet it doesn’t necessarily make it unsafe, but if there is a crash the helmet won’t behave as it’s intended to in protecting the head.

We’ll dig a little deeper into the proposed changes and follow the discussion period.

via [VeloNews]

LIVESTRONG.COM and LIVESTRONG Make Good Partners for Cardio Training

It might seem a little ironic but LIVESTRONG.COM has announced a partnership with LIVESTRONG Fitness. The former is actually a Demand Media property and website destination for nutrition and fitness-related information. It will now partner with LIVESTRONG Fitness, part of Johnson Health Tech, to introduce a new brand of cardio products include treadmills, elliptical machines and even bicycles with personalized programming designed by Peter Park, Lance Armstrong’s strength and conditioning coach. Continue reading LIVESTRONG.COM and LIVESTRONG Make Good Partners for Cardio Training

Scary Spice Moves to Get Fit

Mel B, formerly Scary Spice of the Brit Pop group the Spice Girls, has been getting fit, and the latest title, Get Fit With Mel B has been released for the PlayStation Move for the PlayStation 3. This one offers you fitness expert Mel B, who offers positive feedback, encouragement and real-time guidance on your performance, while providing 25 different workout goals. The game features a custom workout program and a daily menu to help gamers stay on track (while getting off the couch).

“There’s never been a combination of technology and passion for fitness like this before,” says Deep Silver COO Geoff Mulligan, whose company developed the game. This is as close as you’re going to get to having a personal trainer in your own home. We’re incredibly proud that Get Fit with Mel B is the first fitness title available for the PlayStation Move platform and that critics are already hailing it as the best option for getting fit with an interactive program.”

In addition to programs the game also features social networking integration so users can share their workout results and accomplishments with friends via Facebook. It is almost as good as having Mel B as a close and personal friend.

Get Fit With Mel B Official Website

Oakley Turns to Aerospace Industry for Jury Sunglasses

They may not be barely there, but Oakley’s new Jury sunglasses are made from aerospace aluminum alloy to create a lightweight metal pair of shades. “We wanted Jury to be made of metal but still provide the comfort of a lightweight design,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden in a company statement. “The grade of aluminum used by machine industry mills was nowhere near our targeted profile, so we turned to the aerospace industry.”

The company sees the material as achieving Oakley’s goal of blending science and art. The aerospace aluminum alloy was originally engineered to “take the punishment that aircraft and space vehicles endure,” said Baden.

Custom engineering was necessary to achieve the spring hinge mechanisms. The challenge Oakley faced was that milling and machine tolerances had to be within a thousandth of an inch. The frame is enhanced with Unobtanium (created by Oakley) stem sleeves that increase the grip when you perspire. This is designed for a Three-Point Fit that optimizes for comfort. The frame makes contact only at the bridge of the nose and the sides of the head. The Three-Point Fit also holds the lenses in precise alignment.

The optics of the dual-lens frame follow a continuous contour, which requires the equivalent of cutting each lens from single toric shields. Oakley employed Polaric Ellipsoid lens geometry, which was used to maintain sharp, accurate vision for all angles of view. The Jury also features High Definition Optics, which allows the glasses to exceed all Z87.1 standards for optical clarity and precision established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The glasses meet all ANSI Z87.1 standards for high mass and high velocity impact resistance.

Plutinite lenses of the Oakley Jury filter out 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm. You can choose to get optional Iridium lens coating to balance light transmissions and reduce glare.

That’s a lot of elements in the new Jury glasses. For a limited time, a special edition of Oakley Jury sunglasses will be available at Sunglasses Hut with a special finish called “Distressed Silver.” While these are available, Oakley will feature a special exhibit of Jury along with the lineage of Oakley design innovation eyewear at the Sunglasses Hut on 5th Avenue and 48th Street in New York.

Oakley

Lindsey Vonn Dons Oakleys

Oakley, the maker of premium eyewear, has announced that World Class skier Lindsey Vonn has chosen Oakley goggles and sunglasses for the upcoming season. Oakley High Definition Optics (HDO) features a collection of optical technologies engineered to meet the demands of athletes such as Vonn. These include impact protection as well as 100 UV filtering on and off the hill, while Oakley also offers a full spectrum of lens tints to allow athletes to precisely match with environmental conditions.

“I am thrilled to be with a brand so passionate about optics and protection,” said Lindsey Vonn. “Oakley meets all my needs with a range of lens tints, and so much more. Medals are decided by hundredths of a second, so I need assurance that my vision is perfect every time I compete, no matter what the conditions. That’s why Oakley was the obvious choice, and I wouldn’t think of entering a competition with anything less.”

Lindsey Vonn will take advantage of the Oakley advantage in the World Cup competition and beyond.

Oakley Official Website

Gore(Tex) in 2011

We heard that Gore-Tex will roll out a new fabric that the company says will be the most breathable waterproof material yet. The new Gore-Tex Active Shell won’t actually make it to shops until about a year from now, but it should prove to be the wait.

This new technological breakthrough in fabric shouldn’t be confused with the already on the market “Windstopper Active Shell” either. The Gore-Tex Active Shell will do much the same, but dare we say even better. According to reports it will provide a combination of lightness and breathability so it can function as a shell for cyclists and runners alike, and thus can be used in more “minimalist” garments. Additionally it will be ultra-lightweight enough that it will be good for climbers and hikers where every ounce counts. The key to getting the weight down required Gore to change the very construction, thus limiting the thickness of the layers and more importantly reducing the amount of glue used in the process.

Now the only thing to do is get through the next nine to 10 months and then try it out. We’ll keep you posted.

Gore-Tex Official Website

[Via Outdoors Magic: New Gore-Tex Fabric Launches]

Specialized Revamps Prevail Helmet

First seen on the heads of riders in the Tour de France over the summer, Specialized’s new Prevail helmet is more adjustable, has larger vent holes, adds protection and sheds a few ounces over previous helmets. What more could you ask for in safety and protection? Specialized probably should have given the helmet a new name instead of continuing with the Prevail model since it has so many new features.

At 185 grams, you may forget you have on a helmet. And when you look at it, it looks as if there there are almost more airholes than helmet. The structure of the Prevail looks deceivingly thin. The helmet brags 29 air vents including three exhaust ports in the rear. Now, that thin structure. The Styrofoam framework is built around a core Kevlar matrix. This makes the helmet stronger without adding weight. Continue reading Specialized Revamps Prevail Helmet

The Revolution is Here

Say you wanna Revolution? If you’re talking about the Revolution Bike Trainer from LeMond Fitness you’re in luck. We saw this trainer at Interbike back in September and it has take notice. It is a true example of the evolution of the traditional bike trainer, and dare we say revolutionary? With winter just around the corner this trainer will keep you in your bike seat until spring – and by that we mean you’re actual bike seat, rather than having to make due with a stationary bike.

Rather than resting the rear wheel on a metal disc like typical trainers, which can be quite loud and has anything but smooth resistance, this device ditches the rear wheel completely for smooth consistent training. Basically you ditch your traditional rear wheel, and connect your bike to this trainer, which works with nine speed and even the new 10-speed cassettes. It allows you to use any bike you’d ride outside, so no worrying about adjusting the stationary bike. Bikes connect and disconnect in minutes – the latter comes in handy for those warm days when you just have to get outside. But with the Revolution Bike Trainer you might be tempted to stay indoors and still put in the miles.

Revolution Bike Trainer at LeMond Fitness

Video Games Won’t Get You Fit, But Can They Get You in Shape to Get Fit?

We’ve long taken the opinion that video games are not an acceptable alternative to hitting the gym, but we also agree that fitness related games – including dance games, workout titles and anything that involves “moving” you off the couch is still a good thing. But now comes word from a few sources that the American Heart Association has found that Wii games such as Wii Sports and Wii Fit could be an actual “gateway” to the real deal.

According to Dr. Barry A. Franklin, who was quoted by My Fox Houston, games not a substitute for actual exercise, but do encourage people to get healthier. Franklin’s view:

“The fact of the matter is that 70 percent of Americans don’t exercise. Some of the reasons they don’t exercise s that it’s not enjoyable, it’s no fun, and it’s not readily accessible.

“Often times the boxing, the golfing, and other activities have an energy expenditure that is equivalent to slow, moderate walking. That’s a lot better than sitting on the couch.”

With the recent release of the PlayStation Move this past September, as well as this week’s release of the Xbox 360 Kinect we expect a lot of gaming to occur, but at least this could be a gateway to healthier gamers.

Crocs Move in on the Toning Shoe Market

It’s not difficult to find a pair of shoes that make toning claims, at any pricepoint. But the shoes tend to be on the bulky side, and more athletic or active looking such as sneakers or sandals ready to do some trekking. Crocs, the shoes with the identifiable clog-like look, just introduced a women’s fitness line called CrocsTone. Two styles include Skylar Flat ($49.99), which looks like a mule-style flat; and Skylar Clog ($59.99), which is based on the Crocs form of a clog with a heel strap. A third style, the Skylar Flip ($49.99) is more like a flip-flop. Continue reading Crocs Move in on the Toning Shoe Market

From Skate Deck to iPhone Case

There comes a time for every skateboarder to realize that the old deck just can’t be used any longer. Whether it is cracks in the wood or just other structural issues, skateboard decks just can’t last forever. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t live on afterward.

Portland, Oregon based MapleXo has long been turning trashed decks into thrasher jewelry and now the company is looking to turn old skate decks into iPhone 4 cases. However, the catch is that the company is releasing just 50 limited edition cases so you better skate over to the website quickly to sign up for one.

MapleXO official website

[Via Recombu.com: MapleXO x Grove iPhone 4 cases are made from recycled skateboards]

Stroll(er) Your Way Back to Shape

For new mothers it can be a struggle to get back into shape after giving birth, but the makers of Strollometer suggest strolling could be a way to do it. The company has introduced a new device that syncs with any buggy or stroller, and it tracks speed, time and distance. This wireless mini-computer  is the brain child of Adi Weber and her husband Dan, who came up with the idea after the birth of their third child. Not knowing how far the strolls were, Adi and Dan conceived the idea of a wireless device, modeled on cycling and other fitness computers, that could calculate distance and time while taking the baby for a stroll.

It features eight different settings to allow users to monitor how fast they’re strolling, as well as maximum and average speeds and of course total distance. This data can be translated into calories burned as well. Just remember there is a baby in the stroller so no need to make this into a hardcore workout. Additionally, the Strollometer offers a clock – which might not sound like much, but this way users don’t have to reach into a bag for a phone or watch. And it even includes a temperature gage, so those doing the stroller can know whether a baby might need to be covered up.

The company also offers tips on getting started, provides buggy fitness tips and even offers a guide to getting up to 1.5 run as well as 5k training. In other words, it isn’t just about the stroll.

Strollometer Official Website

Nike Brings Adaptive Traction to New Football Shoe CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II

Imagine you’re on the soccer field, and go for the ball, but the cleats on your shoes are just a hair short for the muddy surface and you slip. The opposing team gets the ball and scores the winning point of the game. Get the a pair of Nike CR Mercural Vapor SuperFly IIs and you’ll have an extra 3mm on the adaptive studs depending on the ground conditions and pressure exerted by the player. The adaptive traction system can extend or retract by those 3 mm, possibly saving the field and maybe even the shoes from undue wear when not needed.

Blades are positioned directionally on the forefoot to maximize cutting and allow for quick changes in direction. Secondary toe traction provides added toe-off power to get you started on that sprint during a play. Continue reading Nike Brings Adaptive Traction to New Football Shoe CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II