(via Wii U Revolutionizes Social Gaming - IGN)

I totally agree with this. When I turn on Wii U and I see the Miiverse start screen with comments and beautiful artwork from gamers all around the world it makes me feel instantly connected to a friendly community of people who love gaming just like I do.

When you open the Miiverse app, it’s essentially a glorified series of forums, one per game or app that’s released on the system. It’s fantastically simple and it works perfectly. You can go on a forum and ask the community a question about the game you’re considering buying, share screenshots, ask and share tips, or just draw artwork. It’s totally up to you.

It’s not like Nintendo have let us all down again and given us poor online play, no online accounts, no voice chat, a useless store and no chance for good quality DLC.

They’ve done almost everything right. Even the lack of storage space (even 32GB is pitiful if you want to download full retail games) is overcome by the ability to plug in an external hard drive up to 2TB and play games straight off that. This is a system where Nintendo gets it right.

Now it’s up to the best developers to make their best games, and the hardcore community who have mostly flocked to Sony and Microsoft for their hardcore gaming fix in recent years to support this system and let it flourish.

(via Chevy switching to iconic Camaro for Nationwide Series car - NASCAR - Sporting News)

Mustang, Challenger and now Camero in the nationwide series. That’s pretty cool that they’re making it the muscle car series. Well, that’s not including Toyota who aren’t american and don’t make muscle car designs, and possibly Dodge, who may be leaving nationwide as well as cup next year. It would be a shame if they did.

(via BBC News - Handwashing: Why are the British so bad at washing their hands?)

Brits are disgusting.

I used to be super obsessive about washing my hands. I’m not as obsessive now but I still do it a lot and do it well. But even if you do it yourself, you have very little control over how exposed you are to other people’s germs that they leave around them.

It’s unfair and something should be done to make people do it or fine them in work places, schools or wherever if they don’t.

(via BBC Sport - Newcastle stadium reverts to St James’ Park in sponsorship deal)

I thought there were already loads of team with that particular short loan company as it’s sponsor. Not so pleased about that. Would have preferred Virgin Money to stay on, but at least they’re changing the stadium name back to St James’ Park, which it should never have been changed from in the first place.

Let’s just say, if you’re looking to buy a Newcastle jersey you might want to hurry up before it gets considerably less attractive next season.

(via BBC Sport - Usain Bolt plans to defend Olympic sprint titles in Rio)

I’ve talked a bit about this with my bro a little while ago and said I didn’t think it is possible for him to win all 3 again.

I think whether he can or not will depend on whether Blake gets faster, whether Usain can maintain his current form at the age of 30 or get faster still and whether or not anyone else can break through in the next 4 years. Considering how far ahead of everyone else those two guys appear to be, it seems plausible that it could be just them again next time in Rio.

Would he settle for anything less than another clean sweep of 3 golds though? Most people would be content to go there and end up with 2 silvers and a gold in the relay, which you would think would be almost a certainty.

(via Red Bull becomes World Rally Championship promoter - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com)

This is great news for WRC. Red Bull have done a great job with sports I love including all disciplines of cycling, and I think they have the resources and know-how to make this a success and take WRC to the next level, and immediately securing its future.

(via Tony Martin Injured In Training Accident | Cyclingnews.com)

It’s crazy how many professional riders are being hit by cars recently, and they seem to keep being from Quick Step, with Levi Leipheimer also injured in a crash.

These are the best riders in the world, but they race on closed roads with only other riders and the occasional team car and camera bike around. Does this mean that their skills on traffic populated roads is bad? It could do but when you consider how much time these guys spend out training when they’re not in races, it’s hard to see that point of view being accurate. They probably spend far more time dealing with traffic than anyone who commutes to work each day.

I don’t know if it’s fair to blame traffic entirely, especially because of the speed these professional riders are able to go. It may take drivers by surprise and cause problems that way.

Whatever the case though, something has to be done to make sure riders are protected. They should be escorted by a member of their team on a scooter or car in front of them. Something to give them the extra protection they need.

Globe Live 1 (by Christopher Till)

My new urban bike. Custom riser bars instead of the more classic looking swept back ones. Way more stable and still looks good.

(via Monster Energy Debuts New Specialized Demo Downhill Bikes | Cyclingnews.com)

I like the simple stealthy look to this seemingly concept version. It’s nice to see downhill bikes progressing and carbon should make a nice improvement in manoeuvrability. I must admit I didn’t realise the bikes weren’t carbon already but it’s definitely cool to see that they are starting to be.