Bike Sales Drop, Gas Prices Drop

It can't be, the gas companies have lowered prices back to the 1980 and bike sales have dropped. Yes it is winter, so we won't know what the real market is going to look like until the spring but come on, keep biking, you never know prices could fall further. To be fair to both sides it does get silly when a tri bike cost as much as a Nissan Versa makes it hard not to buy one, or when a dealership down south is giving away a free car with the purchase of a Dodge Ram. Technology is great but lets get real getting outside for any amount of time per day is one of the best gifts that you can give yourself. So spend the extra money and get a bike that is going to last, hey bikes outlast cars by a long shot.
Cheer and Happy New Year.

MotionX-GPS now on the App Store

iPhone has changed so much of what and how we work and play. MotionX-GPS takes it a bit further with an easy to use handheld GPS on your iPhone. You can use the virtual compass for navigation and the stopwatch to record time, distance, speed and average pace. Email your tracks and waypoints with your photos to share with your friends and family in Google Earth and Google Maps. Use MotionX-GPS while biking, running, hiking, walking, geocaching, in your car or on your boat. It has a stopwatch to time your ride, run, set way points and share with Google maps really great to see what in the next year the iPhone and others companies start to come up with.
Happy Holidays

Crazy Spin Bike Design, We Can Only Hope

We can only hope that design starts to trickle down to the fitness industry. Having Frog Design or Mark Hagen a design student North Carolina State University College of Design, start to take a look at traditional exercise equipment would be a welcome change. Some people like CrossFit and some like more traditional almost surgical approach like Phrog Fitness. Places like Phrog could benifit greatly with a Apple design appeal. However the change is to happen it will and with forward thinkers like Mark Hagen the fitness industry should take notice.
happy Holidays

Cover the Noggin

In the winter the myth is that you lose 75% of the heat through you head and others studies show the cerebral blood flow is supplied via the carotid and vertebral arteries (4 in total) and is constant. The blood flow to the brain does not change as the demand for oxygen is constant. As a result, when you look at total heat loss, the head accounts for about 7% of the heat lost.
Any way that you shake it you lose some heat through your head and if you like wearing a hat and listening to music it seems as though we have another player to the game. The LimbGear® Noggin Net™ is an mp3 enabled skullcap that houses both the mp3 player and the earbuds. The soft, fleece textile is breathable and warm. The idea is not new but the interesting part is incorporating the mp3 player into the skullcap, hence hiding all the wires and the Nano in the cap itself. The downfall is that if you are like millions of iPhone users, putting one in your skullcap could be a bit heavy.
All in all it is a great idea, grab an old Shuffle and this is a great gift.

Expresso Fitness, A new spin on fitness.

Were not talking about coffee but we should be based on the ride that Express is going to put you on. As they put it "eye-popping virtual reality with a classic cardio workout". They really put their minds to it and re-thought some of the basic functions that got in the way on other bikes, like a real head phone jack and walk through design. Expresso talent really lies with in the computer system itself, bringing to life a true VR experience, motivate your members with over 30 Basic-to-Extreme rated interactive Tours – ride from the California Coast to the Peruvian Mountains, play a game while riding and where it really gets interesting, Expresso.net captures your individual workout data, allowing members to track and analyze performance online anytime, anywhere. Leader boards, personal trend reports and community challenges motivate riders to keep working toward their goals.

So if I were you demand one of these at your club, standard TV is so 2008.

This would be a great fit with Health Currency.
Cheers

Innovations by Rossignol :: CHRONO METEO JACKET

When companies push the limit it should make you happy. Rossignol is one of those companies. It seems as though they took a good concept from Swatch, POP Swatch which just had the watch on it, but could be embedded in clothes. So it seems as though Rossignol is trying a similar approach but using high end technology to click in to its jacket.
It's not easy to check your watch when you're on the trail wearing gloves, a fleece, and a protective jacket . Rossignol has found the solution: The Gore Tex® stretch CHRONO METEO jacket with the Pure Mountain Station.
Used alone or slid inside a watertight thermoformed insert worn outside the jacket on the wrist, it combines all the vital features for skiers:
• Barometer mode providing atmospheric pressure, temperature, and weather forecasts
• Altimeter mode to display the altitude in real-time, calculate and record your vertical drop, and measure your performance using a computer
• Digital compass to determine your direction

As the watch is always subject to a fall or extreme conditions, it was designed to be shock proof and weather resistant. The intentionally oversized liquid crystal digits and numbers are easy to read at a glance. It includes a number of other practical features: timer, alarm, etc.
It comes with an accessory kit including leash, desk stand and clip for use in all situations, at home, touring, in the car, in the office, etc. More than just a watch, this is a genuine multi functional screen

Good Stuff Rossignol

SwitchBack, small, powerful and keeps you riding.

So since the gas prices have drop, Princeton Tech seems to want to keep them that way, introducing the Switchback 1 the smallest most powerful light. With lights like these coming on the market the only thing that will keep you from biking is yourself.
Burn time is 10 hours (of course on the lowest setting), that should get you to work and back and if not just charge up while at work. Working through all the setting on a ride will get you 5 hours, not bad. Hey is you are still doing the bike commute, training, riding the trails after 6 pm, this light will keep you out just a little longer and that is only a good thing. Put one of these on your holiday list.
Cheers

ColdAvenger, Stay Out Longer!

Breath freely and without fear of freezing. Designed for a variety of winter outdoor activities where protection from cold is essential. Researched and developed in Northern Rocky Mountain winters and tested in snow and freezing weather, ColdAvenger™ keeps your face warm and dry while helping humidify inhaled air and allowing you to breathe freely. Hey it beat a snorkel and looking funny while skiing or snowboarding.
Cheers

Tracking technology, Heart, Speed, Calories, for the iPhone

Nice to see that companies are using mobile phones as the "one" device, the Garmin and other GPS systems are become useless as the mobile phones get smaller and smarter.

iTMP Technology, Inc. (iTMP), makers of iSPINNING, iNewLeaf and iRPM have a great solution using the iPhone and a smheart link to bridge the gap between your heart rate monitor and other devices. Allowing it to be stored in one place and view right away.
iSPINNING is a device you use along with your iPhone. SMHEART LINK is compatible with a growing list of products and sensors. SMHEART LINK utilizes ANT+Sport™ technology and iTMP is in the final stages of development with another market leader in heart rate monitor technology. ANT+Sport is a 2.4 GHz wireless network with standardized communication between devices including bike speed sensors, cadence sensors, power sensors and heart rate transmitter belts.
SMHEART LINK™, developed by iTMP Technology, is a wireless bridge that collects data from a variety of health and fitness sensors such as heart rate monitors, cycling speed and cadence sensors and power meters. Sending the data to Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch, SMHEART LINK enables iTMP’s suite of fitness applications, turning your iPhone or iPod touch into the ultimate fitness metrics monitor.
Cheers the SMHEART LINK will be available for the holiday and resolution seasons.

keeping Heated while surfing. Rip Curl's H-Bomb

So things are heating up, Rip Curl has up the anti and made surfing a year round activity or at least the ability to keep you in the water longer.
The H-Bomb uses 2 lithium-ion 7.4 volt batteries they are rechargeable and last for 3 hours. The idea is simple a heating elements placed on your back warm up your core, allowing your heart to pump warm blood to your extremities.
The whole suit is made from E3 neoprene, lightest, warmest and most flexible neoprene. Their is a Fireskin lining that will wick the water away from your body and combines with the heaters to keep you warm.
Final a chest zip entry, moving it off to the side so not to impede your comfort while paddeling for a wave.

Way to Go Rip Curl - H-Bomb

Trek Stop

First special thanks to Bicycle Design for finding and alerting the general public to this type of support from Trek.

When you see this type of kiosk popping up, bike traffic must be on the rise. Great now lets hope it continuous since gas prices have fallen, bike commuting has been one of the reasons that the gas industry has drop their prices.
The Trek Stop allows you to put air in your tires, buy tubes, water bottles, patch kits, energy bars and chain lub out of a vending machine. Plus it have a bike stand, just like in bike shops so that you can work on your bike. Would be great if this sort of things caught on and they were popping up all over the place.
Cheers

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.