dan osmanRead: < 1 min

RIP Dan Osman

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It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Dan Osman passed away while rope jumping in Yosemite at the Leaning Tower rock formation. I recall reading the rope he used was left out in the rain or snow and may have contributed to the equipment failure. Dan lived a pretty nontraditional life, often living in a tree house, climbing up waterfalls, jumping and swinging on ropes (not bungee) thousands of feet off the ground and performing breathtaking free solo feats like the one in the video below…

RIP Dan Osman (February 11, 1963 – November 23, 1998).

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HangTimer: Back-up that Spray with Some Facts Son

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Many moons ago I wrote about the Airpod, a device you wear while snowboarding that measures hang time while pulling airs. Now an application for the iPhone does that and adds a few more bells and whistles to boot.

HangTimer for the iPhone uses the iPhone’s accelerometer and “hairy math” to calculate air time from the point of take-off, speed at take off and location at point of take-off. HangTimer detects your location and provides trail maps, snow reports and resort web cams (when available). For 3G users there is the following added functionality…

  • Detailed speed and location of every jump
  • Link to Google Maps to plot your hits
  • Top Speed at takeoff for every jump

Of course the HangTimer can be used for any sport where it’s safe to have your phone on you (mountain biking for example). I’m interested to know if, when climbing, will the HangTimer measure falling distance (WhipperTimer anyone)?

The full version of HangTimer sells for $9.99. There is a free version which lacks many of the features described above, but does measure hag time and tracks your best jump and total airs per session. Personally I feel this app is well worth it, since I can slip my iPhone in the pockets of unsuspecting ‘big air’ friends only to bring them back down to earth aprés.

Posted by: Lawrence

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Quiksilver MoondakRead: 2 mins

Quiksilver Moondak Watch and TideGraph

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Tides don’t affect the breaks I surf all that much, but at my favorite spot, low slack tide (between low tide and when the incoming tide starts) is probably slightly better. That’s all the reason I needed to go out and plunk $95 on a new Quicksilver Moodak watch. Even though I carry my iPhone with me at all times and have the very capable and more informative TideGraph app.

The Moondak version I have is all black – including the screen and maybe I sound like a curmudgeon, but I’ll be damned if I can read it unless I find myself in close proximity to a 1million candlepower halogen light source. Another annoyance with the watch is the number of times I go to glance at the time, only to be in tide mode. The convenience of quickly checking the time is a frustrating 5 mode clicks away.

The Moondak is a good-looking watch which an abundance of features. Features like the lap and heat timer functions which are appealing to runners and surfers alike. The Moondak is also stylish enough that it can be worn out at night.

Consider the Moondak with the lighter face (it comes in different version, some much easier to read than mine) and if you have an iPhone, then by all means get TideGraph, it’s really good and the upcoming 2.0 version promises to be even better (including a map button that shows a satellite view of port in Maps app).

Posted by: Lawrence

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Read: 2 mins

O’Neill Mutant Wetsuit

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Surfing in the Northeast really picks-up in the Fall, with better wind direction for most breaks and storms that kick-up the swell to head / overhead conditions. To enjoy the quality surf, you have to endure the elements. When I decided to buy the O’Neill Mutant 4/3, I chose it for it’s reputation for comfort and warmth and because the neck can be replaced with a hood (included), for when the weather and water temps get even colder. O'neill Mutant

The one drawback – for me anyway – is how difficult it can be getting out of the Mutant. My left shoulder is gimpy from a partial dislocation suffered snowboarding years ago. Since that injury my arm gets cold and numb on every bike ride and paddling can leave me with a dull, throbbing pain for hours after a session.

When I tried the Mutant on at the shop I marveled at the flexibility and comfort. When I went to the dressing room to take it off however, I was a breath away from a full-blown panic attack. I whimpered between grunts that I might need some help, to which the shop worker replied “I’m not getting in there with you dude!”

I was assured I’d get the hang of getting out of the Mutant and maybe I will (I don’t own a 3mm, so I’ve already worn this suit 4-5 times). It takes at least 5 minutes to get my arms out. While I struggle to extract myself anyone could beat, mug or teabag me – whatever. I’m totally helpless, sweating, cursing and desperately trying to channel Harry Houdini.

This is a warm and comfortable suit. I already managed to get a small tear in the left thigh, but that could be from performing enough stunts (read: bad surfing) to fill an entire season of Jackass.

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narragansettRead: < 1 min

This Thing About Surfing

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We had a beautiful weekend here in New England. On Saturday a friend and I headed to the beach with our families with no expectation other than to paddle and keep fit for an anticipated swell later this week. We headed directly out to a point several hundred yards offshore and watched the blues feed, while on the beach our kids ran buckets of water back to their sand castle.

We paddled parallel to the beach about 1/3 mile and started to notice some small but rideable waves. After a dozen rides we paddled back to surf closer to our families. We met a guy from upstate NY who drove 5 1/2 hours to be there – a beach 15 minutes from our homes! He knew it would be a pretty poor day, but said it was still worth it.

Spending time with the family, being on the water and appreciating where we live made for a memorable session. Despite the crappy economy, the second highest unemployment rate in the country and tolerating seemingly endless political rants – life is good! If you still don’t think so, get a board and see for yourself.

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Infinity Rad Noserider Longboard

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After nearly 20 years of research I finally bought a new surfboard – a 9′ Infinity Rad NoseRider. While not exactly a gadget, there is plenty of technology at work here worth mentioning. For starters the Rad NoseRider (heretofore known as the RNR) can be configured as a single fin or [3 fin] cluster. With the cluster setup the two outside fins are larger than the center fin (typically 2 5.5″ side fins and ~3″ center fin). The cluster has more of a short board feel, allowing for hard bottom turns and riding the face in vertical lines.

Cluster Design

Cluster Design

The RNR is virtually two boards in one, with a fast trimming and stable front end and a back end that allows the rider* to get into a turns quickly and carve much like you would on a smaller board. The bottom of the RNR is about 2/3 concave and beveled under the rails resulting in suction when you need it. I never fancied myself a nose walking Moondoggie type surfer, but to be able to walk-up on the nose to lengthen the ride and know the board isn’t going to come over top and skull you is nice.

Balance point

Balance point

I bought and rode the RNR on Sunday while a band played on the beach providing my friend John and I music to surf to. This weekend we have a tropical depression expected to cause swells as high as 8′ on Saturday. That’s more than enough music to my ears.

* Not this cat – not yet.

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hackerRead: < 1 min

So, Like Bitness was Hacked

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Bitness went on hiatus this Summer, but only we sort of didn’t intend it to last the entire Summer. Bitness was hacked by some crackers who had nothing better to do than waste our time and piss us off. After tediously extracting all the evil scripts that littered the majority of posts, deleting rouge directories created on our server, changing all passwords (the new universal password is f!tgeek3) we’re back.

For those of you who haven’t completely given up on the Fit Geek, the Summer was a relaxing time filled with sunshine and gadgetry. In the coming days we’ll be writing about a new swim training device, a new surfboard purchased by one of the fit geeks, as well as some golf clubs – yes there is technology at work in surfing and golf worth exploring.

Bitness is back in business, thanks for tuning in…

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Bayley S4Read: 2 mins

Bear Grylls Knife Costs $700

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Man vs. Wild star Bear Grylls is no doubt a surviver. Consumption of live snakes, sheep’s eyeballs, decomposing Zebra, still-warm Yak livers and worse, but a man’s gotta eat! He free-solos cliffs, wrestles wild beasts, drinks from elephant dung… face it, the man survives.

Certainly Bear doesn’t need to risk life and limb by down-climbing a waterfall, eating live snakes or puss-filled grubs – but it does make for entertaining television. Many scoff at these Fear Factor-like antics, but it has viewers peeking through their fingers and muttering ‘that crazy bastard‘ over-and-over. Some critics go as far to say that Bear misinforms his viewers by taking these risks in remote regions.

In many survival circumstances the best advice is to stay put and wait for rescue, but Bear is seemingly being chased in every episode, burning precious calories to sprint down a sand dune or swim a freezing cold lake. Of course sitting around and waiting for rescue would make for pretty ho-hum TV, so Bear turns on the bravado and the charm to keep us watching as he performs fearless acts of ‘survival.’

Bayley S4

I can forgive the fact that Bear bends survival tactics for the sake of entertainment. I have a harder time with merchandising the tools he uses for his show. A Bear Grylls ‘signature’ knife sells for $700. If you have $700 to spend, get a satellite phone and $40 Buck knife.

Maybe this is just Bear ‘surviving’ in the real world – and he’s got a right – but hopefully fans are smarter than that (and smart enough to not drink from elephant dung).

Posted by: Lawrence

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hillsRead: < 1 min

On My Honor I Will Do My Best…

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Life takes hold and just zips by. I turned 40 on the 11th and realize I’m starting to slip. Can someone please tell me what the hell The Hills is and who these plastic people are? I don’t know anything on regular radio anymore – it’s all classic rock for this old man.

Work is busy, always is, but I’ve also been running, Spring yard work, playing with the kids and a new guitar I got from the family for making it to 40 in one piece. I even started taking lessons – finally after 20 years of teaching myself everything the wrong way.

Following my neighbor’s sage advice – do everything to get the house ready for Memorial Day and then no more projects until after Labor Day should leave me some time to write a bit more regularly in the coming months.

Expect to learn more about a new lifestyle clothing company for fit geeks like me, gadget reviews and general musings about all things geeky and fitness related.

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calendarRead: < 1 min

Wha? Where’d April Go?

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Yeah, we missed the whole damn month. But to be fair it was only 30 days long so…

We appreciate the patience (and encouragement), so stay tuned!

Posted by: The Slackers

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Nike+ Touching the Sound of Silence

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When the Nike+ system came out a few years ago I had a hard time buying one for myself since I had just purchased my second Garmin Forerunner. But clever me, I magnanimously bought one for my wife, also a runner, for our 10th anniversary.

I like to run with music, but early-on Nike announced the Nike Speed+ which allows you to use the Nike+ system without the iPod and simply displays your run data. Expected sometime in April, the SportsBand will be available. This slimmed-down model has a rocker/runner look but also a practicality in it’s construction using materials that will hold-up well to sweat and grime.

SportsBand

The same Nike+ sensor in your shoe relays pace, distance, time and calories burned to the easy-to-read LCD on the SportsBand. A detachable USB built into the band’s face can store up to 16 hours of run data and be attached to your computer to upload data to Nike+.

Posted by: Lawrence

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fitness-patent-appleRead: < 1 min

iPhone & iPod Touch: Thank You Sir May I Have Another?

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For a company as secretive as Apple, it has to be frustrating for Apple that the Cindy Brady of the Web, the US Patent Office, makes it fairly simple to find and view patent filings online.

AppleInsider did a little digging and revealed Apple’s patent filings to develop a digital lifestyle fitness companion. Plans include four distinct components that comprise the system, ‘including an iTunes-like software application, hardware-based heart rate and physiological sensors, a rewards tracker, and a component to facilitate synchronous group activities.’

The system asks a series of lifestyle questions; what your fitness goals are, personal and family health history (HIPAA are you listening?). Once the data is collected a fitness regimen specific to the user is created. There are plans for one or more integrated physiological sensors. These could be built-into headphones or in a ‘sling’ which may not only read heart rate, but hold the iPod/iPhone during a workout.

There are a number of interesting screen shots on the AppleInsider Web site; a fitness model demonstrating proper technique, a tick list of exercises for a particular workout and others.

Source: Apple Insider

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fuel beltRead: < 1 min

Spring is in the Air

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With Spring around the corner and very little winter training under my Fuel Belt (I run some maintenance miles but I’m not a fan of the treadmill), it’s time to think about getting back into running shape.

As a long time Runner’s World reader, I’ve read numerous articles on training and performance that assume I know details about my pace (what my 5K race pace is, pace for a tempo run, easy run, etc). I run very few races a year and they vary from 5K to 10 miles. For a 5K I can turn-it-on and feel wiped-out, for a 10 miler I seem to always hold back (to ensure I can make the distance!) and finish regretting I didn’t go out harder.

In order to pace myself for each race I need to know how to train properly; when/how to run intervals, when to go easy or when to simply rest. McMillan Running offers a great calculator that lets the user enter a recent race time for popular running distances and calculate optimal training information.

Now when I read Runner’s World I can actually apply real numbers to the articles that refer to tempo runs, steady/long/easy/recovery pace and hopefully achieve real results!

Posted by: Lawrence

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Worst-case Scenarios: Extreme Survival

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It’s been a while since we’ve written a survival post. To be honest, it’s been a while since we’ve written any post, but that’s the price we pay when working for the man.

Shark Zones Survival situations are essentially wort-case scenarios. How you play them out is often times a matter of life and death. A site called Worst-Case Scenarios provides step-by-step, how-to’s for everything from fighting off a shark to landing a plane.

So you thought bopping a shark on the nose was your best bet? Wrong – quickly and repeatedly jab it in the gills or eyes – use your dismembered leg if you have to, but man keep fighting! If you find yourself in a position where you need to land a plane, the first step is to “…push, pull, carry, or drag the pilot out of the pilot’s seat.”*

A Cardinal Rule in survival situations is to not panic. The more prepared you are, the less likely it is that you’ll panic in one of those worst-case scenarios. That includes jumping 5 stories from a building into a dumpster or how to wrestle free from an alligator.

* Please note that the pilot should already be incapacitated.

Posted by: Lawrence

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hawaii chairRead: < 1 min

The Hula Chair: Satisfy that Itch

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Every once in a while, we all get an itchy asshole. It’s nature, don’t deny it. Usually the yen to satisfy this itch is at work. We pretend to shift in our chairs to get comfortable, when really we’re just stealthily trying to rub-out that itch.

What if I were to tell you there is a chair disguised as exercise apparatus, but in reality is specifically designed to scratch or otherwise rub you in all the right ways (ladies, some additional assembly might be required)? Behold…

Posted by: Dean

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