Cape Fear - The Coastal Aventure Outfitter

It is always nice when you see new stuff come out. The market is flooded with jackets by North Face and Columbia Sportswear, these companies are great and dump millions of dollars into testing which in turn trickles down to the lesser known brands and of course the just starting out. Remember Mountain Hardwear was just a tiny shop back in 1993, and look 20 years later they are a powerful force in the outdoors clothing game.

So Cape Fear a company based on the east coast and is dedicated to the true outdoor enthusiast, not the mountain climber or adventure racer but your every day Joe. Boating, Fishing, Camping, Hiking, Exploring and what most do in there jackets is RELAXING, bumming around, shopping. Cape Fear could have a very good niche if they play their cards right, get the everyday layman, outfit them with good clothing at a great price. They are not trying to get the Volvo Ocean Racer or maybe they are, but a safe bet is for the general enthusiast, who want to keep warm and dry.
"CapeFear Sportswear was developed for those who want to experience both the adventure and the tranquility of the coast. We are committed to delivering the highest in comfort, quality, and protection to all who want to live the coastal lifestyle to its fullest."
Cheers

Ring Training, Elite Rings

Sometimes cool technology and wonderful gadgets can be great to capture a workout but nothing beats Cross Fit or Ring Training both use tried and true methods of getting incredible results. Cross Fit is using natural movements, core strengthening activities and the desire to get fit. Ring Training is the take anywhere incredible workout that is humbling to those who think they are in shape, be prepared to start from scratch and feel muscle ache that you might have thought were strong. Ring Training is exactly that, RINGS the same ones that gymnast use, try doing a Iron Cross, dips, push ups,your arms start to shake just being in the pose. Every fiber is used to keep you in-line.
From Ringtraining.com
"At Ringtraining.com we use our own advanced designs, high tech materials and production methods to create the best quality fitness equipment that will last a lifetime. At one time, gymnastics rings were a fixture in nearly every gym. Back then, people were as strong as they looked! We were the first to bring gymnastics ring training back into the general fitness community and the results have been amazing. Our equipment has been used to train professional athletes and teams, elite military units, Hollywood movies and primetime TV shows. Our goal of bringing functional and effective gymnastics training to the masses has been a huge success. Thank you to everyone around the world who has used the Elite Rings and help spread the word."

Now Cross Fit, brings the whole world crashing down. Get ready for a new world of crazy. Cross Fit post a new workout on their site every day and some use just your body, others use weight, even kettlebells, the basic priciple is great, get some simple weights, Rings, KettleBells and you are good to go, open your garage door, or if you are hard core go outside, rain or shine.
From Crossfit.com
CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

Our program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Our specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist.

The CrossFit program is designed for universal scalability making it the perfect application for any committed individual regardless of experience. We’ve used our same routines for elderly individuals with heart disease and cage fighters one month out from televised bouts. We scale load and intensity; we don’t change programs.

Get to and be prepared to be humbled.

Polar's new body tunning watch - FT80

Wow Polar has really stepped it up with the new FT80, the FT80 is the most dedicated training partner for the most devoted fitness enthusiasts. This intelligent training computer helps you achieve maximum efficiency and reach your workout targets for both cardio and strength training, plus its stylish design is comfortable during a hot workout or in everyday use. You can hook up the GPS and Foot pod to make the watch a complete body tracker. The best thing is that it takes TWO heart rate functions and you can overlay them to see together. NICE

Personal Health Records, Aetna Links Up With Microsoft’s HealthVault

So companies are starting to drive their stakes in the ground and Aetna with HealthVault is a good idea. Having the ability for an insurance company to transfer "YOUR" records so all can view, if you grant the right permissions, is a huge step in the right direction.
Now Personal Health Records have been the talk of the town for a while now. most people stay away from them for one reason or another. mostly because they think big brother is watching them, which is not the case. Health records are protect by HIPAA and have a better encryption than shopping on line, we all do that now. Many ears ago most of us would never think about entering our credit card info online or pay bills, have companies linked to our banking accounts but today it is the norm. The same thing is going to happen with PHR/EHR, soon everyone will be on board and going to the doctor and having them connect to "YOUR" records will be that easy. Since they will be "YOUR" records as they should be, going from one doctor to the next will be simple, no more transferring those records and waiting till the doctor receives them and reads them. You can grant permission, take away that right as well. At first PHR can be overwhelming but once you play with the system it is easier than looking at your cell phone bill. Now Microsoft has HealthVault and Google has Google Health, like most Google product the frills are gone leaving you with a clean and simple interface. Neither is better or worse but both could benefit from HealthCurrency, maybe they will call or email and this whole health system will change for the better.

So get on board and start to use the PHA, waiting will only be more data entry.

Be Safe, Down Low Glow!

So you look like a low rider, but the glow lets motorist know you are out and about. Most have a headlight and blinking tail light, which does it job, but Down Low Glow illuminates your whole surroundings. So worry less about not being seen and take back the night.

FAQ's

1. The Down Low Glow comes with a lightweight NiMh rechargeable battery. It weighs 1 pound and is the heaviest component of the DLG system. It is weatherproof and has a high quality coaxial power connector that mates with our DLG chargers, and with the DLG light tubes. It also has a foam strip underneath the outer rubber layer, to prevent road vibrations from dislodging it.
2. The Down Low Glow fits a wide variety of vehicles. Most bicycles, including kids bikes, recumbents, tricycles, fixed gear racing bikes with tight front-wheel clearances, and full-suspension mountain bikes can be fitted up with no problem. The Down Low Glow light tubes are 12.75" long and have approximately 10" of wire connecting them to our power driver box. Between the battery and the power driver box is another 12" of cable.

3. We've been selling the Down Low Glow since 2003, and waterproofing has been the number one challenge, since day one. Each winter we learn a little bit more about what it takes to sell a product ready for bike commuters who will depend on it rain or (moon)shine.

QuickSilver, Wiltern Beanie

So many hats so little time to wear them, the person who benefits the most from hats is a bald man or women. So QuickSilver has come out with a beanie that is micro fleeced lined has built in head phones pockets over the ears and is cable knit. So not only can you listen to music, your iPhone is ready as well. Hey the price is not bad either, $30.

Bike Lock Exploding Dye System, just like money packs!

So for years banks have had exploding dye pack. You steal the money and the dye packs disguised as money explode leaving you with a nice colorful appearance. Well now bikes will have that same security, Michael Lambourn has developed the exploding bike lock. This is truly amazing that no one has thought or invented this sooner. This goes in the Brilliant category. Hey if the bike thief does not care about getting inked, surely the people around will take notice. Let's all take our hats off to Mike.

Michael Lambourn presents the Smart Lock: “‘17% of cyclists have suffered bike theft in the last 3 years; of these 24% no longer cycle at all, and 66% cycle less often’ (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1997) Cycle theft is deterring people from using one of the most efficient forms of environmentally friendly transport. It is considered petty theft but can have huge emotional effect on the victim. Smart Lock is lightweight but offers additional protection. It’s quick and easy to use and allows the cyclist to lock both wheels and the frame. If breached, Smart Lock helps the authorities identify your bike, and links the perpetrator to the crime. It also stains the ground identifying areas vulnerable to theft. Smart Lock helps you keep your bike.”

Champion Systems, Custom Teamwear!

Getting a triathlon singlet, tri top, shorts can be a pain, but Champion Systems seems to have it worked out. Prices are great and the products are very good. The Running singlet is only $29 (need to have a 10 piece order), hey with a 6-9 month season you really can't beat the price. If you are a club, team, bike shop, dishing out $290 Jelly Belly's is a good thing.
The system is painless, download the credit card PDF, email it back then they open up their ftp server. After you are approved or before you can download all the templates for use in Illustrator, once you have the design down upload and wait 48 hours, once approved the lead time is 4 weeks and express is 2. Easy simple and worth the wait.

Their sales department is top notch, polite and honest.

At these price you really have nothing to lose.

Intelligent Shock Absorption - d3o

And it just keeps going, this d3o lab is awesome. plain and simple if you are into outdoor sports or go at is rough you need d3o lab.
d3o(dee-three-oh) is a specially engineered material made with intelligent molecules. They flow with you as you move but on shock lock together to absorb the impact energy.
As you can see there is no shortage of what you could use this for, hey it's rough out there shouldn't you be protected.

CycleOps, Club Pro 300PT

Now back in late 1998 through 2003 Schwinn had a great Spin bike called the Johny G. Since then the bike world has taken a new look fitness, you have the people that will do the spin classes and you will have the avid triathlete who want a little more. Along came CycleOps, they added things like power, hr data, interactive display with a large, easy-to-read LCD screen, time, cadence, and energy expenditure, stores data files on proprietary USB stick and Power Agent Software for a complete analysis of your workouts, best of all it is Mac and PC compatible, more than you can say about Polar.

If you are looking for the best off season trainer look know further the Club Pro 300pt is the real thing.

Victorinox - Rescue Tool - Knife of the Year 2007

Got to love it when old is new again. Victorinox (aka Swiss Army) the original multipurpose tool has done it again by winning the International Knife Award, Rescue Tool was picked among 77 knives from 34 exhibitors coming from 9 countries.
Vicorinox sort of missed the beat in the late 90 with the makers of Leatherman and Gerber making a name for themselves with the multipurpose tool. Now they are great at that and most people that do any sort of outdoors activity has one but look at the older generation and see what they might have laying around bet it is a Swiss Army Knife.
What is nice about this Rescue Tool is that it is small can work with your Ski's and Snowboards. The Rescue Tool has been developed by Victorinox in close collaboration with rescue and safety services. It can be operated with gloves and has luminescent handles. Crate opener and one-hand blade can be locked in place through Liner Lock.
Get back to the original. Victorinox (aka Swiss Army)

Exercise while you work and get paid!

So exercising while you work, sound great. Well for some this is real, people working from home, call centers and even CEO have joined the trend of theWalkStation. A brisk 1.4 mph can burn up to 500 calories a day and 3-5 miles without breaking a sweat. Sounds great, no more tight muscle, sleepy days or even the need to have that third or forth cup of coffee. Exercise is know to release endorpin's or "runner's high. Hey this is great and instead of installing the play station in the break room get your company on-board to get a Walkstation.
Now of course this needs to be taken to the next level and head off any weight issues before they start. This would be great for high schools. many kids are being "classified" as A.D.D., let a kid that has trouble with their attention span be on one of these during class and let's see the results.
Really anything that keeps one active whether they are running at lunch, working out or walking around the neighborhood is always a good thing, doing it all day some might classify as nuts others as a health alternative to the "the water cooler".

Bikes Going Chainless

So Trek is making the leap, putting a stake in the ground, chainless for urban bikes might be a great idea. Ridding around the block getting groceries, a couple miles here and there so why the chain. There is a minimal amount of stress on the cranks so a belt is perfect and now with technology going shiftless (Shimano Nexus 8 rear hub), hey this is a great time. Also at $990.00 MSP, you can't lose.

Timbuk2 is having a sale

Timbuk2 is having a sale. Now the leader and pioneer in messenger bags has got to unload all that unwanted inventory somehow. Well instead of paying the normally high prices they have have savings from 35%, 50% and 65%. So if you have been waiting and since the USAT stopped giving away Timbuk2 with membership this is a great way to get another or even your first messenger bag. Carry your tools, swim gear, sailing, running and even diapers, who cares as long as you have one.

iPhone App; RunKeeper

When the iPhone has so much traction and a hug following apps like the RunKeeper are a sure win. Sure there are some drawbacks but being a pioneer like RunKeeper you have to accept those drawbacks, wooded areas, tunnels, tall buildings, etc. So the app is simple enough, have a 3G iPhone and for $9.99 you can have a full tracking GPS enabled fitness device. If you are saying well the iPhone cost $299 so the the real price is somewhere in the range of $310, still cheaper than the Polar s625x and the Garmin. Now the Polar is one of the best devices out their so yes their is know comparison, for the weekend warrior that is getting into the sport this is a great way to start. Also with Health Currency getting ready to launch the tie in with RunKeeper is great.

RunKeeper FAQ

What is RunKeeper?
RunKeeper is an application built for the new 3G iPhones that uses the built-in GPS to enable fitness tracking (duration, time, pace, speed, route on a map)

Can RunKeeper be used for any other activities besides running?
While it was built primarily with running in mind, some of our testing has involved additional activities such as walking, cycling, and even driving. It appears to work fine for these other activities as well, although the majority of our testing has been running-specific.

How much will RunKeeper cost?
The RunKeeper iPhone application will be a one-time download of $9.99 USD and will be available exclusively through Apple’s online App Store.

Will RunKeeper work with an original first generation iPhone?
No. RunKeeper needs a GPS signal to determine accurate speed, pace and distance. The RunKeeper application will not work properly on a first generation iPhone.

Can I see my route on a map?
Yes, you can see all of the routes you run on a map that will be displayed on your personal web dashboard at www.runkeeper.com. You cannot see your route displayed on the RunKeeper iPhone app initially, but we are evaluating including this functionality in future releases. You will be able to see the route through the device’s web browser at www.runkeeper.com.