Introducing the Hövding! This "stylish" collar actually takes the place of a cycler's helmet, and acts as an airbag that inflates on impact. In the event of a crash, the Hövding deploys itself by inflating an internal airbag in less than one second, covering the head and protecting the skull from injury.
This short video explains the product in a little more detail:
So, for those that don't wear helmets while riding, would you wear one of these? Would you trust them to actually work?
In case you wanted to get one last bike ride around the Cades Cove Loop Road without having to fight automobile traffic, you better hurry. The last day for the road being closed to motor vehicles on Wednesday and Saturday mornings is September 22.
In other words, there are only four more opportunities left this year.
On each Wednesday and Saturday mornings throughout the summer, the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles until 10:00 a.m. to allow pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the cove.
As I mentioned in a post earlier this summer, other than walking it, biking the loop is the absolute best way of seeing Cades Cove - especially since the road has been repaved.
For more information on bicycling in Cades Cove, and other areas in and just outside of the park, please click here.
Last week, in conjuction with the opening day of the National Bike Summit in Washington DC, Google maps launched a Beta version of its new direction finder for bicycle routes.
The new map tool will help cyclists find the quickest, safest way from Point A to Point B.
Apparently cyclists have been advocating for Google to add a layer for bicycles to its "Get Directions" function for some time now.
A petition started by Peter Smith at Google Maps 'BikeThere' received more than 50,000 signatures from bicyclists who wanted the service.
The bicycle route finder uses data gathered on bike paths, bike lanes and low-traffic streets to arrive at the suggested route. Google staffers are emphasizing that this project is in Beta, and have built in ways that users can inject their feedback into the results at the "Report a Problem" area.
The results may not show the most direct route in some cases. Not only safety, but topography is also factored into the route-finding formula so that cyclists can avoid steep hills, etc.
Google has produced a "how to" video explaining how to use the new service:
> Please click here to give the new map tool a "test drive."
> Click here for information on bicycling in and around the Great Smokies.
Jeff HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
In case you wanted to get one last bike ride around the Cades Cove Loop Road without having to fight automobile traffic, you better hurry. The last day for the road being closed to motor vehicles on Wednesday and Saturday mornings is September 22.
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