Name of Product: 2012 Model Year Giant Defy Advanced and [...]]]> The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: 2012 Model Year Giant Defy Advanced and Avail Advanced Bicycles

Units: About 900

Importer: Giant Bicycle, Inc., of Newbury Park, Calif.

Hazard: The fork can crack, posing a fall hazard to riders.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall involves all 2012 model year men’s Giant Defy Advanced 0, 1 and 2 model bicycles and the women’s Giant Avail Advanced 0, 1, and 2 model bicycles. “Giant” and the model name are printed on the bicycle. The bicycles are various colors and sizes.

Sold by: Authorized Giant Bicycle dealers nationwide from August 2011 through November 2011 for between $3,000 and $4,550.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding the recalled bicycles and contact any authorized Giant Bicycle dealer for a free inspection and replacement of the fork.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Giant Bicycle toll-free at (866) 458-2555 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website

This amazing photo was taken by NASA’s Aqua satellite this past November. Orbiting Earth 14.5 times a day, the satellite aids in studying precipitation, evaporation and the water cycle.

Pictured from so high, Baja looks empty and desolate. But in reality almost 3.2 million [...]]]> Anybody who has traveled through Baja knows how enchanting it can be.

This amazing photo was taken by NASA’s Aqua satellite this past November. Orbiting Earth 14.5 times a day, the satellite aids in studying precipitation, evaporation and the water cycle.

Pictured from so high, Baja looks empty and desolate. But in reality almost 3.2 million live there.

Look close and you can see a dust storm blowing off the mainland and across the peninsula. (Click on the photo to enlarge).

An unusual swell is making for great surfing conditions, and the local pier is closed due to the large waves.

Hard to beat living here, all things considered.

(photo of [...]]]> While other parts of the country shiver in freezing winter weather, out here in San Diego we natives bask in sunny 80 degree heat and hit the beaches.

An unusual swell is making for great surfing conditions, and the local pier is closed due to the large waves.

Hard to beat living here, all things considered.

(photo of Ocean beach Pier by Andrew Jensen; surfer photo by K.C. Alfred)

Name of product: 2011 Forté Pro Carbon Road Pedals

Units: About [...]]]> The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: 2011 Forté Pro Carbon Road Pedals

Units: About 2,900

Importer: Performance, Inc, of Chapel Hill, N.C.

Hazard: The pedal body can break or crack during use, causing the rider to lose control and posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Performance has received three reports of the pedals breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: Forté Pro Carbon Road Pedals are sold in sets of two bicycle pedals that attach to cycling shoes. The pedal body is black and is made of lightweight carbon injected thermoplastic. The axle is a black and made of chromium molybdenum steel with a black steel axle. The front, top of the pedal has “Carbon” printed in red; the top middle has “EPS-R” embossed in the body with the “R” in red and on the top rear of the pedal the word “Forté” printed in white. The outer edge of the pedal has the Forté logos, crossed F’s, in white. The catalog number, 50-8128, is used in all catalogs.

Sold at: Performance’s website, catalogs and Performance retail stores from February 2011 through October 2011 for about $100.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these bicycle pedals and contact Performance to obtain a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Performance at (800) 553-8324 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.performancebike.com

Lunar eclipse over the Ocean Beach Pier. Photo by Bob Thompson.