SolarCab rickshaw gives the driver a solar-powered break

DVICE: "Rickshaws are a standard fixture in big cities. We have carts pulled by bikes here in New York City, London has similar vehicles, and places such as Bangkok, Thailand have zippy little carts powered by noisy motors. For the bike-powered vehicles, speed and strain on the driver are both big issues, while the motor-driven carts are significant polluters. London-based SolarLab is looking to address all of that with its solar-powered rickshaw called the SolarCab.

The SolarCab is designed to draw 80% of the power it needs from solar panels covering the shell of the cab. The rest of the 20% comes from the driver's pedaling, which will be significantly easier even with a heavy load thanks to the electric assistance. SolarLab hopes that each rickshaw will reduce CO² emissions in its native London by two tons per rickshaw.

It'll be interesting to see just how much good it does when the SolarCab hits the streets next year.

SolarLab, via Dezeen"

Continuum Ubicycle: take the bike to work today...

DVICE: "The Ubicycle public bicycle service system by design firm Continuum (who worked on the Hundred Dollar Laptop project) will give commuters a new way to get around town. The unmanned bike rental kiosks are topped with solar panels for power, and use RFID-embedded Smart cards for tracking and security. The distinct look and green color of the bikes will also make them easy to spot on the street, so they'll be harder for thieves to sell or ride around on freely.

Continuum also understands a valuable method in helping the bikes become more viable: letting people use public transportation cards to rent them. So if you can use a card to ride a city bus, you could also take a bike if you want. Kiosks throughout the city would allow you to rent at one location, and drop it off close to your destination."

Recycled Bicycle Chain Bowl

Even if you're not a cycling fan with Lance Armstrong art plastered around your digs, this Recycled Bicycle Chain Bowl ($88) is still super cool.

Measuring 10" in diameter, this bowl is made of real recycled bicycle chains and is a conversation starter if there ever was one.

Do you know your Bicycle Safety?

"Old filmstrip: 'Bicycle Safety'
Via BoingBoing.net, May 27, 2008 10:29 AM

Once again, Derrick Bostrom of Bostworld provided an invaluable service to the world by scanning a vintage educational filmstrip and uploading it to YouTube.

Cathedral Filmstrips’ “Bicycle Safety” is kind of like a “Mechanized Death” for the Saturday morning cartoons crowd. Not gory by any means, but definitely designed for extreme impact — in a Saturday morning cartoons kind of way. The art itself is entirely in the style of the classic matinee short. The harassed citizens pop their eyes and flap their tongues comically. The foolish children show their agony with stars, corkscrews and tweety birds. But the underlying message remains grim: those deviating from cycling best practices face grievous injury, possible death and certain ridicule.

Caffeine Laced Chips?...I'll Just Stick To Coffee

Via [ Geekologie.com]

If you're anything like me; you down several large cups of coffee to get you going in the morning. Well for those of you out there that aren't into the liquid caffeine scene, how about some, uh, chips?

That's right, Engobi "Energy Go Bites" are cinnamon or lemon flavored chips laced with wake-up powder. While I couldn't find the exact amount of crack per bag, each 1.5-ounce serving is advertised as containing "70% more caffeine than those little energy drinks." Yeah, and all for the low, low price of $1.29. To promote the chips, Engobi is taking the chips to the street.

The company is running a "Girls, Guitars and Geeks City Tour," with a Guitar Hero-equipped van, giving gamers willing to leave their basements the chance to compete for Guitar Hero controllers and gear emblazoned with the name of everyone's favorite insomnia-inducing snack product. And if you were worried that Engobi was run by a bunch of old shriveled nads with no concept of what's cool to their target demographic, fear not.
Says the company's VP, Mark Singleton: ""If this contest, the Engobi girls, or our high-octane Engobi snack chips don't perk you up, I'm not sure you have a pulse. With Engobi on the scene, couch potatoes just earned a place on the endangered species list."

Wow, Mark, wow. You just made a whole bunch of no sense whatsoever. Doesn't gaming promote a certain level of couch/desk chair potatodom? However? Might be good after a long ride through the local hills....

Engobi WebsiteviaEngobi Chips: Caffeinated, Guitar Hero-Friendly [gearlog]

NOTE: Whatever you do, don't go to the Engobi website and then click Products, What's Inside and then scroll over the heaps of shit at the bottom. Trust me, just don't.

Bean vacuum sucks the air out of your coffee

DVICE: "Coffee snobs will tell you that stored beans won't oxidize and turn bitter as quickly if they're held in a vacuum. The problem is, sucking on the hole in the bag as you roll it up and bend over those little twisty tabs doesn't really work very well. This Bean Vac canister from The Sharper Image should do the trick however. Capable of holding over a pound of beans, the Bean Vac has a tightly sealed locking lid, and a vacuum pump that sucks the air out running on 4 AA batteries. Sharper Image says you can also use it to store things like cookies, nuts and chocolate, but I would never know as that stuff doesn't last more than a day in my house.
The Bean Vac is available now for about $40.
Sharper Image, via Cooking Gadgets"

Do you want some coffee with your cologne?

Uncrate The Buyer's Guide For Men:
Coffee, you say? In a cologne? Yes. Thierry Mugler Angel Men Pure Coffee ($65) is a limited edition scent with its roots firmly planted in the world of java.

With a base scent of slightly burnt coffee, the cologne also exhibits notes of different chocolates, giving it a rich, inviting, masculine smell that is sure to attract more attention than your average fruity sport scent."

Master Lock Street Cuff

Standard bike locks not secure enough for you? Lock your wheels down police-style with the Master Lock Street Cuff ($100).

This unique lock is designed like a pair of handcuffs, and offers maximum cut and pry resistance, no fixed anchor point (for leverage), and virtually no space for jacks — leaving would-be thieves SOL

Water Cycle

Uncrate The Buyer's Guide For Men: "Enjoy the water of the great outdoors while getting some exercise on the Water Cycle ($3000). It features a smooth pedal crank that drives a 15-inch, two-blade propeller through the water, letting you reach speeds of up to 7 mph. The rudder is controlled by the handlebars, making for smooth turns, while the craft's fiberglass-covered foam core hull keeps you upright and stable as you pedal your way to freedom."

Nutrition: Getting that caffeine kick

By Joe Beer

Caffeine is the obvious choice for the cyclist looking for that extra few percent. Millions drink coffee and tea to give them a morning ‘jolt’ so why not use it pre-ride to get some extra metres on your mates or blast to a PB?

Sounds logical so far but some of the ‘waking up effect’ that people report (or rely on) is psychosomatic – many teas contain negligible caffeine yet people claim they need two to get out the front door. The jolt is probably the warmth of the drink rather than the caffeine. However, put the focus on exercise testing and caffeine gets the thumbs up here’s why…

Roll Your Own Homemade Herbal Teas

Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done: "Country Living online details how to make your own herbal teas by mixing and matching ingredients from your herb garden or plants around the house for tasty and healthy results. The article runs down which flowers, herbs, bushes, and weeds are edible and drinkable and suggests a few mixes to get you started. If you've ever dabbled in homebrew teas, share your experience in the comments. Photo by Kanko*.

Homemade Herbal Teas [Country Living via TipNut]

HeartBeans Grinds Coffee In Rhythm to Your Caffeine-Powered Heartbeat

Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide: "I understand that there are many people out there who can't face the day without a cup of coffee. Hell, I'm guzzling a black coffee down as I write this. However, I draw the line at having an emotional, 'intimate' experience with my delicious bean-based beverage—the kind of experience that the HeartBeans grinder promises to deliver.

According to the project page, HeartBeans utilizes a motor inside a mahogany shell that measures the pace of the user's beating heart. By operating in sync with the heartbeat, it is intended to 'induce an experience of intimacy with the process of making coffee' while producing a different flavor with each use. More »"

Coffee Marinated Sirloin?!

Brewed Coffee: Coffee Marinated Sirloin
April 16, 2008

I love coffee and I love steak – who can resist either? The thing is, I have never really thought of these two ingredients coming together, have you? Well, apparently, you can use coffee to marinate a good piece of sirloin. According to The Canadian Press, to which I attribute this eye opening piece of news, the marinade adds creaminess to the steak. An added bonus – the coffee’s acidity tenderizes the meat as well. Here’s the recipe:

Start to finish: 1 1/2 hours (20 minutes active)
Servings: 4

1 1/2 cups cold coffee
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons honey
1/2-inch chunk fresh ginger
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Four 8-ounce bottom sirloin steaks (or other tender, broiler-friendly cut)
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
In a blender or food processor, combine the coffee, pepper flakes, peanut butter, honey and ginger. Puree until smooth, then taste and season with salt and pepper.
Pour half of the marinade in a baking dish. Set the steaks in the baking dish, then pour the remaining marinade over them. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
When ready to cook, preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the steak, in batches if necessary, and sear until lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Transfer the steaks to the prepared baking sheet. For medium-rare, broil for 7 to 8 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the steak reads 135 F.
Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving."