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8 items for fall to continue the sporting life after vacation

Ah, summer: It's the time to exit from civilization and try new activities that will challenge you and get you back in shape after those long days in the office. But it's short. If you're dreading feeling that your muscles are loosening upon returning from vacation, we have some ideas that could let you extend the active summer season through to winter.

Visiobike
The first goal is to get you commuting to work without a car. The self-proclaimed "future-proof" Visiobike offers safety features that reduce the stress of two-wheel transport in urban settings in addition to optional, motorized "help" for those who may think they have an unrealistically long distance to commute via bicycle. The motor-assist feature allows riders to travel at speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour with a range of 120 kilometers, making it ideal for commuters who want the benefits of two-wheeling it to work without breaking a sweat before arriving. It costs €4,500 or €5,000 depending on the desired options. www.visiobike.com

Another idea -- a public transport pass. That's right: a new study in the British Medical Journal says commuters who took public transport, along with those who walked or rode bikes, had an average of .07 or one percent lower BMI than those who commuted by means of a private vehicle.

Matador Pocket Blanket
If this talk about commuting has you down already, we suggest sticking the tiniest picnic blanket in your pocket to soak up the remaining sunshine or even do some sun salutations during your lunch break. Tiny, but tough, the Matador is made of water-repellant, puncture-proof HyprLite Nylon and the smallest version folds up to the size of a key tag, although it covers a surface area of 71cm x 1m11 when spread out. The larger version unfolds to cover a surface area of 1m39 x 1m11 and is approximately the size of an average smartphone when folded. Both versions have weighted corners and the folded size isn't the only thing that's Lilliputian: it costs $19.99 for the mini version and $24.99 for the larger one.
matadorup.com

Pocket Reel
Stop by the stream on the way home from work and take this floatable fishing kit out of your pocket to enjoy the rest of the season until you need an ice hut. It includes everything necessary: 45 feet of 12lb line, 45 feet of big game line, four hooks and sinkers, 10 synthetic maggots, one three-quarter-inch bobber, two spinner lures, and a knot guide with directions. An upgraded version includes a Crappie/Panfish jig. A lanyard and bead attached to the cap enable casting. At $15, the product should be available by mid-September at 1stlinesurvival.com.
For more information www.kickstarter.com/projects/883046804/pocket-reel-an-ultralight-fishing-kit

ACTION R RocketSkates
Whether you're doing weekend errands or looking to expend some creative energy on a coffee break, these innovative skates offer walkability for stairs and steep inclines. Unlike the skates of yesteryear, the strap-in design allows for wear with almost any shoe, making a high-speed goofing-off session with little time to gear up entirely possible. They can propel you at speeds of up to 12mph (19kph) and provide motorized breaking assistance when needed. They're available for pre-order for $399 with shipping expected for October.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/petertreadway/acton-r-rocketskates-worlds-first-smart-wearable-m

Inline skating app
Whether or not you're up for shelling out for ACTION R Rocketskates, inline skating is still a convenient way for urban dwellers to stay fit and discover new places. The website Traillink.com has a corresponding app for nearly every state in the US that directs you to the best trails for inline skating. Plenty of other apps exist for a variety of functions including Roll In Line, which is oriented towards teaching beginners to skate, and iSkate, which is a fitness activity tracker for inline skaters.

Kayak in a briefcase
The Oru "Origami" collapsible kayak allows you to go from box to boat and back again in just five minutes. Even the seat and paddle fit into the collapsed version, about the size of an artist's portfolio. Imagine being able to keep a kayak in a city apartment and take it with you on public transport or toss it into the back of your car. After having sailed beyond its original Kickstarter crowd funding goal of $80,000, it amassed more than $440,000 and is featured at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. $1,195.
store.reign23.com/products/oru-kayak

Power in your pocket
If your smartphone is keeping you inside, venture into nature with a portable power pack from Goal Zero that will afford you the security of charging capacity during a weekend of enjoying the transition from summer to fall. The Nomad 7 Solar Panel is available for $79.99 without a power pack, but other packages that include one can be purchased on the company's website. The solar-ready, waterproof Venture 30 pack is soon to be available for $99. To receive an alert when the Venture 30 is ready, sign up at goalzero.com/p/252/venture-30-recharger.

Some bounce in your step
If the thought of returning to the office has you dragging your feet, why not stride in wearing a pair of running shoes made using the latest technology that are so fashionable, nobody will know they were meant for the gym? Adidas by Stella McCartney has come out with Pureboost women's running shoes made from their patented technology that is said to return energy with every step. They can be purchased online for $160.
www.adidas.com/us/product/womens-training-pureboost-shoes/ION92

Integrating technology that has the crowning distinction of being banned by the US National Basketball Association (NBA) for "providing an undue competitive advantage," a new running shoe by Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) made its debut over the summer. The "Windchill" model uses the multi-patented "Load n Launch" technology, allowing runners to increase their speed using less energy. Six compression springs, nestled strategically in the front of the shoe among materials to provide air transfer and hold them in place, give the shoe its unique performance edge. The Windchill is available in men's and women's sizes for $150.
www.athleticpropulsionlabs.com/mens/athletic-footwear/running-shoes.html