A Milwaukee bike messenger known as Shaggy has launched a new messenger backpack company that brings something to the design besides new branding. The Shag Bags are conventional backpacks with a side pocket you can swing in front of your body for easy access. The idea is that the weight in the large main pocket is evenly distributed across your back, and then the easy-access side pocket can be used for envelopes and small packages to keep the work flowing for messengers. I’ll probably try to buy one of these and then put my fruit snacks in the side pocket and a bunch of paper towels in the main pocket so it looks like I’m busy hauling around important Fed Ex packages. Shaggy doesn’t have a website, but you could e-mail him about getting one of his messenger bags.

via Urban Velo

The Hydrostar SUB Flashlight charges with a hand crank like other flashlights from Seattle Sports, but this one also comes with a USB port so you can charge iPods or your wireless mouse while stuck in the backcountry. A minute of cranking will run the LEDs on the Hydrostar for about 30 or 45 minutes, and charging an iPod will take a few days. The Hydrostar also comes with something called the SnakeEyes Laser, which is a laser-pointer with a much cooler name. You can use it to signal people across a canyon or terrify small animals around your campsite.

via Gizmodo

The poor mountain bikers unable to prop themselves up with a pair of skis or bottle of whiskey during the winter months might find some use for these DIY tire chains. They look pretty easy to put together and should last a long time as long as you don’t ride on concrete or barbed wire. They’re strapped on with zipties, so you might want to invest in some Slime since fixing flat tires will take about 20 cable ties and 45 minutes of standing in the cold. The tire chain setup costs about $15 to make and will only work on bikes with disc brakes.

via GetOutdoors

People in Texas will have something to talk about besides Austin when I run into them. Oil tankers hauling loads of crude around the Gulf produce these massive glassy waves. You just need a friend with a boat who can drop you off in front of it and pick you up when you fall.

via 70percent

If you live in Europe or you actually smoke cigarettes while you ski, you probably already know that Rossignol makes ski and snowboard clothing, and collaborates with designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac to make ultra-high-end outerwear. This guy Jean-Charles (a.k.a. JC/DC) is like a French Bill Brasky. He’s a French Marquis, but he was born in Casablanca, Morocco. He dates women with one name like “Mareva”. Once, he made a coat out of teddy bears for Madonna. M.I.A. modeled his clothing for a music/fashion retrospective in Paris. He even did an entire fashion show entirely with LEGO, and had it directed by someone named Fabrice. Freakin amazing. So Rossignol is way more style-conscious than anyone thought, and apparently well on the way to dominating the snowsports universe. The Rossi/JCC line has never been available online, or in the States, until now. Believe it or not, we have it. So go ahead, get your girlfriend something nice (read: bright, costly, and hopefully French).