Boost your energy with Springblade technolgy from adidas

Most of our readers have probably seen ads for the adidas Springblade, which are the first running shoe with individually tuned blades engineered to help propel runners forward with one of the most effective energy returns in the industry. Right when we put these shoes on for a test run, we couldn’t believe the explosive energy from the Springblade shoe! Unlike standard EVA midsoles, which deliver energy return in a vertical direction, Springblade features 16 forward angled blades made out of a high-tech polymer. The highly elastic blades instantaneously react to any environment, compressing and releasing energy to create an efficient push-off that feels like you have springs under your feet. The feeling is so unique and new that you really feel like you are experiencing something from the future.

For all the serious runners out there, it’s important to know that each blade is precisely tuned in geometry, thickness and position for each phase of a runner’s stride to provide support and a full range of movement. Additionally, Springblade’s flexible construction was designed to hug the top of a runner’s foot, locking it in to harness the energy returned from the springs on the outsole. After six years in the making, aIT (adidas Innovation Team) tested hundreds of materials to ensure each spring produced maximum energy efficiency with every step and conducted rigorous ballistics tests to maintain long-lasting durability For top performance in all environments, Springblade is seven times more temperature resistant than shoes with adidas’ standard EVA cushioning. Aside from all of the technology under your feet, these new Springblade’s look incredible and will grab attention from folks of all walks of life.

The adidas Springblade is available for $180 and has been on sale since August 1 at adidas.com and retailers nationwide, including Finish Line, Foot Locker, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Eastbay and select running specialty stores.

  

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Classic Lamborghinis at Pebble Beach

We were back at Pebble Beach this year for the 2013 Concours D’Elegance at Pebble Beach, and again we had the opportunity to participate in the Dawn Patrol as the owners of the amazing classic cars drove them onto the 18th hole at Pebble Beach just as the sun was rising. We saw a stunning variety of beautiful vehicles as the drove past us during the dawn Patrol and then on the fairway at Pebble as they were on display for everyone to see.

The Best of Show award went to the owners of a 1934 Packard as cars from this time period often take the top prize. Those cars are beautiful, of course, but we’re usually most interested in the classic post-war sports cars.

This year the Lamborghinis grabbed our attention as it was one of the featured brands as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. We certainly appreciate the modern Lambos as we’ve featured the new Aventador and drove the Gallardo on a track, so it was a treat to see some of the classic models up close.

The 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 in particular stood out with its bright blue paint job as you can see in the slideshow above. It’s hard to compete with the elegant sports cars from the 1960s, but the Countach offered up a radical design in the 1970s with its wedge-shaped, sharply angled look that had a huge impact on sports car design for a generation. You can also see how the cab-forward design of the Countach offered a dramatic contrast to the longer front hoods of the sports cars from the 60s. We made sure to get some photos with the iconic scissor doors opened up as well.

The Countach had some excellent company at Pebble with other iconic Lambos on hand:

1969 Lamborghini Islero S
1969 Lamborghini Islero S

1971 Lamborghini Miura SV Bertone Coupe
1971 Lamborghini Miura SV Bertone Coupé

1972 Lamborghini Espada Bertone Coupe
1972 Lamborghini Espada Bertone Coupé

1973 Lamborghini Miura SV Berlinetta
1973 Lamborghini Miura SV Berlinetta

You can see the evolution of the Lamborghini designs through the 60s into the 70s and also why these cars caught our eye. We’ll be posting more photos from Pebble Beach here and on our car site Dashboard News, but kicking things off with the Lamborghinis seemed like the obvious choice.

  

Frankland Estate proves that Australia is much more than Shiraz

It’s possible — perhaps even likely — that the first thing you ever tasted from Australia was Shiraz. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if Shiraz is the only grape you’ve tasted from down under. Lots of Australian Shiraz, at bargain prices, filled lots of U.S. store shelves for a number of years. Some of it was interesting and tasty, but a lot of it was anonymous or worse. The thing is that Australia is a huge country with many distinct wine growing regions, and while they do make lots of delicious Shiraz, they also produce many other grapes quite well too. I recently sampled the wines of Frankland Estate at a portfolio tasting and was impressed enough that I needed to retaste them in a sit-down setting. There are quite a few distinct selections in their lineup, but three in particular really stood out to me above the others.

frankland_1

The Frankland Estate 2011 Isolation Ridge Chardonnay was produced using organic fruit. All of the grapes were harvested from a trio of different locations within the winery’s estate vineyards. This offering is 100 percent Chardonnay. After being pressed into stainless steel, the wine is fermented utilizing wild yeast in French oak barrels for a period of nine months. About 1,000 cases of this offering were produced in the 2011 vintage and it has a suggested retail price of $39.99. Aromas of limestone and citrus are joined by an undercurrent of nutmeg on the nose of this Chardonnay. Apple, pear and lemon zest flavors lead an absolutely intense blast of pure and unadulterated fresh fruit flavors. The finish is clean and crisp, showing off minerals, spice and a bit of crème fraiche. The depth and clarity of the fruit here is striking, as is the persistence and length of the finish. Frankland Estate’s 2011 Chardonnay is an extremely impressive example of this wonderful grape.

The Frankland Estate 2012 Isolation Ridge Riesling was produced using fruit that has been dry farmed with organic methodology. This wine is 100 percent Riesling. All of the fruit was hand harvested and then immediately pressed into tank. Fermentation took place in a combination of tank and neutral oak at low temperatures. About 1,200 cases of this Riesling were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $39.99.The nose is fresh and vibrant with bits of citrus alongside mineral aromas. Lemon zest flavors overlay stone fruit characteristics throughout a gently layered palate. Grapefruit, lime, white pepper and minerals galore are all part of the impressively long finish. This wine is refreshing with lively acidity and a crisp finish. It begs you back to the glass for sip after sip until the bottle stands empty.

Read the rest of this entry »

  

Picture of the Day: Carrie in pink lingerie

Sexy blondie Carrie flashes her pretty smile and nice curves in pink lingerie.

Carrie in pink lingerie

  

App of the Week: HabitRPG

Developer: OCDevel

Compatible with: Android Devices

Requires: Android 3.0

Price: Free

Available: here

When it comes to self-improvement apps and myself, I have to reference the classic movie “Office Space” and say that it’s all a question of motivation, in that it’s not that I’m lazy, it’s that I don’t care.

Most self-improvement apps show you a lot of graphs and statistics, but don’t exactly do much to motivate you besides the desire to see a series of graphs and statistics that reflect the new, and better you. Sure they may help keep you in line, but that’s about the extent of their involvement.

“HabitRPG” is a website, and now Android app, funded by Kickstarter that takes a gamification approach to the subject, by turning your self-improvement into a role playing game. Basically what you do is create a virtual 8-Bit avatar, and set a series of goals. If you accomplish those goals (for instance “Do 50 push-ups”), then you get to award yourself points. Fail to accomplish those goals however, and you have to take away hit points from your character. Gaining enough points, allows you to reach new levels, buy new equipment, or put them towards any number of custom rewards you set (Like “Watch 2 hours of Netflix”), however lose enough points and your character can “die” resetting all of your progress.

nexusae0_Habit17_thumb

While it’s a system that is more dependent than others on you being honest with yourself (especially when it comes to removing points for missteps), and there are some interface issues that could use some ironing out, the basic idea this app is built around is generally inspired, and a great overall use of the gamification idea to inspire you to be more productive.

Turning you into a virtual RPG character, and your life into a quest, is certainly an effective tool for those looking to make some serious lifestyle improvements, but honestly for most this will serve as the absolute coolest to do list available. A big part of that has to do with the expansive system of tasks and rewards the app allows you to enter, all of which can be tied into game elements that may be simplified, but provide a rewarding experience all the same.

In fact, it’s easy to imagine the intended use for this app is for the user to start using it as a simple checklist for their life, and gradually add more and more to that list as you go along until you find yourself becoming better and better and finally reaching your ultimate goal at a progressive pace. Kind of like…well…an RPG.

Not quite a game, but much more than the usual planner, “HabitRPG” is a hybrid app that gets it right, and at the very least deserves a spot on the Android device of every gamer with a to do list. For making your routine anything but, “HabitRPG” levels up to my app of the week.