Meet Diego Lopez of Underground Technology

Diego Lopez is the president of a startup company called Underground Technology. This company mainly focuses on developing products for motorcycle riders, and one of them is the NightRage Backpack. The NightRage Backpack has integrated lights to help riders be more visible at night or in poor weather conditions. The backpacks are currently available on eBay. Visit the Underground Technology eBay store for more about their products.

1. Why did you decide to start your company, Underground Technology?

Well, ever since I can remember, I have had a passion for motorcycles. I believe that the Isle of Man TT was the event that captured my attention and has defined my life ever since. When I was a teenager I had an idea, an idea that I have fine-tuned since then, and now we call it the NightRage Backpack. I thought to myself: Why not make my passion into something useful to me and others? Just as in the same way you ride a motorcycle, starting your own business gives you a sense of freedom you don't usually get from a 9 to 5 (or a car), and that was my biggest motivation for starting the Underground Technology engine.

2. Would you tell us a little bit about how you came up with the idea for your NightRage backpack?

When I was a teenager I was very much into motorcycles, but I also was constantly reminded by everyone I knew about the dangers of riding, both motorcycles and bicycles. I began to think of ideas to make riding safer, both from a preventive standpoint and from a post-accident situation. It took me some time, but I finally decided on a design and electric layout for the NightRage Backpack.

3. What makes your backpacks so useful for motorcyclists and bicyclists?

Nations across the globe are becoming more environmentally conscious and adopting bicycles, one passenger electric vehicles, and even motorcycles as means of transportation to get to work and to run errands; these riders need something that allows them to carry all their personal items with them. Why not combine safety, functionality, and style into one multi-purpose product?

The NightRage backpack has integrated electro light panels which increase the visibility of the rider as far as a half a mile away, and it's also made out of a lightweight hard shell composite to help minimize any damage to the rider and personal items if an accident ever occurs. This backpack with lights also has a padded sleeve for 16-inch laptops, an extra sleeve for tablets, multiple pockets for smaller items, three zippered pockets inside, and enough room to fit a large watermelon in case you ever have to ride to the supermarket to buy one.

4. When it comes to designing a product, how do you make sure that safety is a priority, while also keeping functionality and the look of the product in mind?

I truly believe that functionality, safety, and looks always go hand in hand when designing a product. When designing a product with electro panels, safety is simply a byproduct of the design, or design is a byproduct of the safety element. (They are the same thing.) Another example might be aerodynamics; aerodynamics create sharp shapes and creases that are interesting to the viewer, and the design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

5. How do you hope to grow your company over the next year or so?

There are many things in the works, from our marketing and advertising campaigns to the development of new products, things that I cannot say much about. But one of our biggest milestones at Underground Technology will be the launch of our web store. We are expecting that by the end 2015 we will have it up and running, ready for our current loyal customers and welcoming new ones. One thing is for sure: this is just the beginning.

Thanks, Diego!

Introducing Cycling LED Headlamps at EachBuyer

If you ride your bicycle year-round in the early morning hours or the evening hours, you know how important it is to do everything you can to increase your visibility so that drivers can see you in the dark. One option to explore is the use of LED headlamps. They're easy to use while you ride as they are hands-free since you wear them on your head.

Zoomable cycling LED headlamps are a cool and adaptable product, with many different varieties to choose from. With most models, you get some different options with how to use the LED lights--for example, you can choose to have multiple lights on or only one light on, and you can choose whether or not you want the light to flash (and if so, how rapidly it will flash).

Of course, you can use LED headlamps for other purposes, too, such as walking at night and going on camping trips. There are special lights you can buy, too, that are like the lights you see jewelers or other craftspeople wear so that they can see the intricate details of diamonds or other items that need to be examined closely.

I'd never priced headlamps before and was impressed at what you can get for a relatively low price while browsing on Eachbuyer.com. EachBuyer carries a lot of other products, too, including watches, clothing, and cellphone and tablet accessories. It's always good to find a new source for affordable products.

Spinner Bikes from Mad Dogg Athletics

I think one of the reasons a lot of people are giving away their old bikes on craigslist is that they're looking for a stationary bike that allows them to do spinning.

Describing their business as a "equipment-based education company," the folks at Mad Dogg Athletics not only sell spinner bikes, but they also offer a range of biking accessories as well as training products such as DVDs. They create and sell indoor cycling bikes meant to meet the needs of consumers who want to train at home. The company's founders first started making spinner bikes in their garage back in 1991, and the fitness trend has exploded from there.

The compact "FIT" model and the beginner's "Sport" model are each available for under $500. As prices increase, different models offer more customizable features for individualizing the ride experience.

I used to think of spinning as a strictly gym-based activity, but no more!