By SAM MCMANIS, Sacramento Bee

As versatile as they are comfortable, the rubbery sandals are worn by the young and old, the fashion conscious and fashion oblivious. People don them with suits, three-piece and swim varieties.Too bad, then, that podiatrists and researchers say flip-flops hurt our feet and lead to lower-leg injuries.

As an adventure racer, Paul Goyette routinely overcomes huge obstacles out in the harsh wilderness, from dangling stranded on a cliff face to nearly being trampled by a horse.But ask Goyette, 47, a lawyer from El Dorado Hills, Calif., about the challenges of surviving in the wild, and he mentions something positively microscopic -- measuring about 13 microns, or 0.0005118 inches.

We asked Rick Steele, owner of Gold Country Cyclery in Shingle Springs, Calif., a leading seller of recumbent and tandem bikes, for a primer on what to look for in a recumbent.ModelsShort wheelbase

As with many cyclists who have chosen to "get 'bent" -- that is, to ride those funky, laid-back recumbent bikes instead of conventional upright models -- Gary Souza made the switch because of injury.Back? Neck? Shoulder?

The deadening thump, thump, thump of gloves on heavy bags matches the repetitive rap pulsing from the speakers as the boxers are put through their paces."Drive the right hand and pull the hook," barks trainer Anthony Charnell.

Never an athlete -- simply from lack of interest, not lack of innate ability -- Travis Tanner at first did not realize the magnitude of the challenge that lay ahead.

Behold the true candidate for change. At least, that's the message that was repeated in TV commercials broadcast across America.Zoom in for a tight shot of the presidential hopeful, responding to a scripted question about -- what else? -- the weak economy:"It's another reason why I say, it's time for a change."