From the monthly archives:

May 2009

Summer Travel Gear, Part 2

by Alan Rider

In the first installment of this two-part series, I profiled some cool new high-tech travel products.  Now let’s take a look at some of the low-tech items I’ve been testing that I think will make your summer adventures easier and more enjoyable:
Spire USA Bags
Okay, I admit I’m a bag freak.  From day-bags (“man purses,” my wife calls them) to suitcases, my office is littered with product samples.  But the two carry-on bags from Spire USA that I’ve been testing for the past several months have become my new favorites.  Both the sleek messenger-style Endo and the Torq backpack combine rugged construction and top-quality materials with roomy, laptop-friendly interiors and well [...]

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Adventure Fitness

by Alan Rider

Whether I’m at home or on the road, I make it a point to hit the gym five or six days a week.  While this means I’m probably in better shape than your average couch potato, I’m not ashamed to admit that several of the adventures on my long list of extraordinary experiences (spelunking, surfing, and air combat come immediately to mind) have flat-out kicked my butt. 
Now, I’ve got to believe I’m not the only one who’s ever found themselves in this situation.  Which makes me wonder why it’s taken so long for someone to dream up an adventure travel fitness regimen like Fit For Trips.  The program consists of [...]

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Summer Travel Gear, Part 1

by Alan Rider

I know the summer travel season is still a couple of weeks away.  But I’ve been thinking ahead, and have spent the last few months looking at a wide array of interesting new products designed to help you make the most out of your upcoming adventures.
In this installment, I’ll focus on some of my favorite new high-tech toys, all of which probably offer significant advantages over what you’re using now at  surprisingly affordable prices:
Olympus 1030SW Digital Camera:
Here’s an immutable law of nature you’ll do well to remember this summer:  Water and digital cameras do not mix.  Unless of course we’re talking about the Olympus 1030SW.  I’ve taken this easily pocketable [...]

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Amateur Assassins

by Alan Rider

Like reading those adventure novels where cold, calculating assassins stalk their prey and every move could be your last? 
Now you can have a non-lethal go at living the life of an action hero with StreetWars, a three-week-long adventure game where your goal is to assassinate your targets with water pistol, water balloon, or Supersoaker until you’re (hopefully) the last player standing.  The winner takes home a small pile of cash and some serious bragging rights.
The next round of this traveling adventure game is scheduled from June 1st-22nd in New York City.  To register, go to the StreetWars website.  And good luck—you’re going to need it!

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