Mountain bikers are familiar with the feeling; a particularly gnarly stretch of train or a sheer downhill drop-off makes the stomach plummet and the nerves ignite. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once… And, barring a nasty fall, the experience usually results in a share-worthy story. High risk cycling has exploded in popularity. Riders are … Read more
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, promising rooms packed with family and friends and tables groaning under the weight of delectable dishes. But on a day when 51 million turkeys are consumed and a cumulative $2.4 billion spent on the meal, it’s hardly surprising that our favorite foodie holiday can be far from sustainable. Luckily, … Read more
The FDA just announced plans to phase out trans fats from the U.S. food market. They claim that this move could save 7,000 people from deaths related to heart disease and 20,000 heart attacks each year. This artificially-created substance is known to increase your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, and reduce your “good” HDL cholesterol. As Harvard … Read more
How can engineers create the fastest racing bike possible? They turn to wind for help. But we’re not talking about a mild breeze… We’re talking about the A2 Wind Tunnel. According to Forbes, the Charlotte-based startup was formed to test and improve the aerodynamic capabilities of cars. But now, they’re expanding their expertise to include racing … Read more
They’re contrived and expensive. The portions are low and the prices high. In an ironic instance of reverse snobbery, many people turn up their noses at farmers’ markets, deeming them to represent a buying experience reserved for the pretentious. But in fact, farmers markets are a vital component of communities. They represent a future of … Read more
The news is in: Bikes are beginning to replace their gas-guzzling counterparts. On Thursday, NPR released results from a comprehensive study they conducted on bike sales in Europe. The results were unexpected – and they hold promise that we are on the brink of a more sustainable future. Of the twenty-seven countries polled, bike sales outnumbered that of … Read more
Ready to boost your speed and save energy? Then you might want to start setting aside a piggy bank fund for FlyKly. This innovative startup has developed a way to transform any “normal” bike into an electric one simply by replacing one of the wheels. There are a lot of benefits to this system. The most obvious? … Read more
Despite the disappointing fact that we can’t enjoy our National Parks on this autumn weekend (although some of them may be opening very soon), we think that it’s better to focus on the positives. Therefore, in honor of our neglected National Parks , feast your eyes on five spectacular lodges in some of America’s most beautiful places. … Read more
Who needs bike paths when you can forge your own? That’s just what Judah Schiller did last Thursday. The designer biked across the Hudson River -and I mean that in the most literal sense. He didn’t take the George Washington Bridge, and he didn’t even use the Lincoln Tunnel. He biked across the water’s surface. Schiller, … Read more
Patagonia. A name known to most that is synonymous with hefty price tags and outdoor wear. But there is a lot more to this company; They aren’t just about clothes and profits. Since Day One, Patagonia has been dedicated to better business… In the truest sense of the phrase. They want their company to better … Read more
Last week, Chipotle released a film, titled “The Scarecrow,” via YouTube. If you haven’t already seen the ad, you can take a look below. To date, the short film has collected a whopping 5.9 million views, garnering attention as “the most beautiful, haunting infomercial you’ll ever see.” On the surface, the video sends a poignant … Read more
Have you been eyeing that new mountain bike and feel like it’s time to put your old model into retirement? Why not pass it along to someone in need? If you’re interested in changing lives (one bike at a time!), here are a few different organizations that will help you make a difference: Pedals for … Read more
In late August, a small fire began north of Yosemite. Within days, it had ripped through the landscape, reducing hundreds of thousands of acres to ash. What does the blaze mean to the future of California’s forests? The Cons: The fire was – and still is – huge. It began on 17 August, and by … Read more
This weekend, Copenhagen hosted the fifth INDEX: Design to improve life Awards. Charged with the task to “Inspire, Educate and Engage in designing sustainable solutions to global challenges,” the event seeks to find creative and accessible solutions to some of our world’s most pressing issues. Here are a few of the notable winners from this year: (Image Source: … Read more
How do we make use of energy? According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. annual residential energy consumption has remained relatively level for the past three decades. Home energy consumption was around 9.5 quadrillion BTUs in 1980; in 2009, it has risen incrementally to 10 quadrillion BTUs. This is pretty impressive, as The Atlantic points … Read more