Via MarketingDegree.net

The concept was to create a mountain bike video that defied the typical “big trick” style and aimed for a more methodical and scenic approach. This particular project had no particular brand attachment, but allowed us to measure different methods of delivery through non-traditional media channels.

Cool socks are a way of looking like everyone else, but feeling way cool. Stance makes a cool range of foot gloves for all occasions from sport to lounging. Check out some of their threads at Stance.com.

Sir Richard certainly has a, uh…err…cough, nice package. While cruising the pages of The Dieline, I uncovered this clever little piece of packaging design, which begs the question Sir who?

Making condoms cool is a task that manufacturers of the little latex glove seem to find difficult. I’d argue that there are several genius things at play here.

1.) The Name

Sir Richard? Is that Sir Richard Branson? I have no idea, but I’d be willing to bet it is, and if it’s good enough for Sir Richard, than it’s good enough for me. The fact the condom is titled “Sir” also offers proper pomp and circumstance. If it is indeed Sir Richard Branson behind these why didn’t he brand theses rubbers under the Virgin moniker? Hmm, use your head.

2.) The Packaging

The little plaid wrapper is a hell of a lot more stylish and cool looking than the wrappers of the competition. There’s no arguing that.

3.) Humour / Truth

4.) Dignification

You may call yours Peter, but mine is called Sir Richard. Who sounds mightier? Not to mention that while you’re trudging around in a t-shirt from The Gap, Sir Richard is sporting Burberry. Say no more.

So to wrap things up let’s just say that Sir Richard has got a sizeable leg up on the competition, and will likely dominate the ascot wearing demographic, if not the entire condom-wearing British public.

The folks at Tokyo Bike have launched a bike rental cafe near Asakusa. Grab yourself a latte and a bike to tour the city while you’re at it. If you’re a savvy cyclist I can’t think of a better way to avoid the Tokyo train crowds.

Tokyo Bike City Tripper & Cafe

Renovo Wooden Bikes

Renovo out of San Francisco are building performance wooden bikes that clock in anywhere from 16.5 to 20lbs — that’s hardly the heavy clunker I would imagine. Not only are they a respectable weight, but they’re also meant to perform up to the level of an aluminum or carbon fibre bike and offer an unparalleled level of shock dampening. Price tags run from $1500-$3000 USD for a frame. While this may seem expensive, it’s basically the same price as a high end frame in any other material. Aside from their race oriented wooden bikes they also offer a cool wooden commuter bike and a wooden 29′er mountain bike. Cool.

Sanomagic Wooden Bikes

On the ultra chi-chi front Sanomagic of Japan are creating the ultimate in handmade mahogany bicycles. While Renovo still employs metal dropouts and forks, Sanomagic is striving for the 100% wooden bike with everything including the fork and saddle being made from mahogany. Sueshiro Sano is a 9th generation ship builder who has turned is unique ability in woodwork to creating the ultimate wooden bike.

Both sport near silent engines and US government tax credit eligibility, but performance has been a bit slow to catch up with top speeds around 100 km/h or 60 mph; however, Brammo’s Empulse model seems set to break that barrier now with top speeds (for a short time) of 100 mph.

I’m imagining that in the very near future the electric motorcycle will be a viable option not only for transport, but for performance.