Outdoors

Outdoors

Leslie Barker: A whistle is one more way to stay safe during a run

While in Colorado this past summer, I bought yellow whistles for my 87-year-old mom and me. We kind of joked about them – me saying I'd use mine if I saw a bear and, more seriously, telling Mom she should carry hers on walks. Her balance is amazing, but were she to fall, at least she could attract attention by blowing the daylights out of her whistle.
Outdoors

Outdoors

Copenhagen Wheel is worth the wait

For those who follow bike trends, the Copenhagen Wheel has been on the horizon for years. The red-hubbed wheel sounds like a dream come true – an easy, one-step way to add electric assist to your already existing bike. Now it's finally available in the U.S., and anyone who has been thinking about an e-bike should give it a test ride. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the 350-watt motor provides assistance to the rider – you still need to pedal, but it will help you maintain a 20 mph speed with much less energy.

Outdoors

Columbia waterproof jacket achieves breathability while keeping you dry

Running throughout the year is achievable in most parts of the country if you have the proper gear. The waterproof Columbia Outdry Ex Caldorado Shell is a step in the right direction. The name may be a mouthful, but the jacket delivers with excellent breathability while being completely waterproof. (Water-resistant jackets are OK in a pinch, but on longer runs they aren't able to keep out the hard stuff.) The problem with most waterproof jackets is that they can't release the heat fast enough. But Columbia's Caldorado has long vents on the side to help move that air away from your body as you run.

Outdoors

Spencer McKee: Should we alter nature to make it safer for the public?

Headlines related to outdoor recreation seem to be taking a grim turn as of late. From hikers falling off cliffs to rafters drowning in tragic accidents, it's difficult to ignore the mortality rate that comes along with enjoying nature. In many instances, these deaths could be prevented had systematic safety measures been taken – an extra guardrail, additional signage, the removal of a certain rock. This begs an important question: Should nature be altered by humans to make enjoying it safer? And if so, how much?

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