Do you want to accomplish something for the first time? Contact Bicycling Magazine.

[Grog]

Some of you may remember my message to Bicycling Magazine editors last year complaining that there were no women in their pages (around May 06). Well! Something's being done, and women are invited to participate.

I got the following message through the Chicks Cycling Club, to which I belong. I asked Christine Fennessy permission to pass it on to TeamEstrogen and she totally agreed. So here it is! Feel free to contact her if you fit their bill!

---
From: Christine Fennessy <Christine.Fennessy@Rodale.com>

Hello,
I'm a writer for Bicycling magazine and we're running a special women's
issue in July. I'm wondering if you know of any women who might fit a story
we're writing.

We're looking for six women-all of whom have a goal to do something for the
first time on a bike. We'll run a photo or illustration of the woman and
include a mini-profile that describes her characteristics as a rider and her
goal. Based on her profile and goal, the editors will then suggest the gear
that will help her-and other women like her-reach her goal.

We're looking for a wide range of women. Newbie, advanced, roadie, mtb or
cross rider, commuter, racer, messenger, rec rider, young, old and in
between. The important thing is that she has a goal to do something she's
never done before, such as:

Start riding for the first time since childhood
Enter her first race (road, mtb, or cross)
Start commuting
Ride a century
Do a triathlon
Start work as a messenger
Take a touring vacation
Ride an epic distance (24 hour solo race, an endurance race, or ride across
the state/country)
Start mountain biking/road riding/cyclocross riding
Move up a category or a class, or make it to the podium
Keep up with her friends/significant other
Lose weight

Is there a woman in your group who might be interested in sharing her story
with Bicycling's readers? If so, I'd love to talk with her. Feel free to
pass on my contact information (below); my cell is (315) 730-4734. I'll also
call to follow up on this email.

I appreciate your time and attention. Have a great day, and I look forward
to hearing from you!

Kind regards,
Christine

[mimitabby]

ride 2500 miles in a year?
:rolleyes:

[Trek420]

They "suggest" gear?

Are they buying it for us? :p ;) :rolleyes: :cool:

Cause I can "suggest" gear myself :rolleyes: :D

I "suggest" Sidis to ride my 5th Lifecycle faster/better, and I "suggest" a Brooks, light system, rear rack and/or fenders and lots of wool to increase my commute miles.

I already know what I need, I learned this here from TE gals (and guy).

But yes, I'm very glad they are featuring women!

[KristenT]

Ride a century, and commute to work more

:) Simple goals, right? :)

[kelownagirl]

That is awesome Grog! I had just been thinking about emailing them to thank them for writing the article about women's cycling group in in their last issue and to encourage them to do more.

[Grog]

That is awesome Grog! I had just been thinking about emailing them to thank them for writing the article about women's cycling group in in their last issue and to encourage them to do more.

Please DO write to them anyway. Feedback works!!

[smilingcat]

I keep gaining weight instead of losing. Like to lose weight while riding not gain more.

no desire to race. It takes the fun out if you get too serious.

epic rides?? RAAM but why?? or a road trip of my own from top of Washington to San Ysidro Ca. ? but who has the time?

commute... wow that's a thought for me that'll be 50 miles each way. cool. 100miles per day. every day. :rolleyes: (I know I'm not doing my part to reduce green house gas. But I diligently recycle and ALWAYS take dead batteries to hazardous waste recycling center).

But then again, I already know what I want. Besides, last thing I need is have someone dangle more carrots in front of my face.

Shawn

[makbike]

I would love to ride RAIN with my SO but I'm not fast enough to keep up with him :(

[Gidiup]

It's kinda irked me that there are no women in the issues or sometimes just a page or two of women specific items, but I've never done anything about it. Good for you in speaking up. Bicycling mag is always doing polls. They should poll the readers and see how many are women (if they don't already know). There are so many enthusiatic biking women here at TE. It's been fun reading all of your comments.

[Velobambina]

Let's hope they pick ladies from all walks of life. I'd love to see Denise "you are an Ironman" RunningMommy featured in an article, maybe in Triathlete Magazine. Look at her: she balances home, kids, hubby, and trains like a champ. Did a marathon recently, too. Plus, she is one of the most giving, kind people I've encountered (never met, unfortunately, but hope to one day).

Of course, on this forum, there are a lot of ladies who are inspiring and whose advice/guidance has helped many of us grow from wobbly & nervous "haven't ridden in 20 years" riders to confident, strong cyclists (SadieKate, Denise G., et. al.).

[7rider]

If so, I'd love to talk with her. Feel free to
pass on my contact information (below); my cell is (315) 730-4734. I'll also
call to follow up on this email.

I appreciate your time and attention. Have a great day, and I look forward
to hearing from you!

Kind regards,
Christine

What's the contact information "below"?? Her cell number? The Rodale.com email address? I have a co-worker retiring at the end of the month with the goal of riding her bike cross-country. I think she'd be an awesome, inspiring person to spotlight for a whole host of reasons. Would like to forward this note on to her.
Thanks.

[limewave]

That's really neat. thanks for posting this. I'm going to write them. I'm entering my first X-Terra triathlon this summer--and I've never done a tri before! And I don't swim! I guess I better start.

[Grog]

What's the contact information "below"?? Her cell number? The Rodale.com email address? I have a co-worker retiring at the end of the month with the goal of riding her bike cross-country. I think she'd be an awesome, inspiring person to spotlight for a whole host of reasons. Would like to forward this note on to her.
Thanks.

Yup the email address @rodale.com and the cell phone number are the contact points.

Thanks for sending this around! She wrote me back telling me she's starting to get mail so that's great!!

[Grog]

It's kinda irked me that there are no women in the issues or sometimes just a page or two of women specific items, but I've never done anything about it.

I agree that once or twice a year is not enough. There's a true problem in the cycling - and especially mountain biking - culture that's not really women-friendly, compared to, say, triathlons. Not sure why.

Anyway, I think this woman editor is an ally and even if once isn't enough, it has to start with "once"!

I encourage you all to write to magazines when you think they could do a better job. In this case, in my letter last year I pointed out how women are an important market in cycling; for any magazine that lives on advertising that's very important. I don't think that should be the primary reason to get them to be less sexist, but if that's what it takes as a start, I'm all for using any weapon we have, including our buying power!!!

[han-grrl]

I have an issue of Bicycling from years ago that was a women's only issues. they bascially collected a bunch of their articles related to women's issues and put it in one place. i thought it was great, which is why i still have that copy.

i also sent Christine an email, with my elite by forty goal and racing expert this year...not sure if that is the type of thing she would want...but heck, its worth a shot, right?

[missymaya]

I had been tempted to get a subsricption to Bicycle mag but have been very put off by this reason, not enough female input. I'm glad they're finally considering our point of view because men aren't the only ones who love to ride:D Hopefully, bicycle mag will have more female input in their magazine.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of a special "women's issue" of magazines about activities or interest that both men and women do. I think there should be women-focused articles just naturally incorporated into EVERY issue.

[jobob]

While I agree with your sentiment in general, Lisa, I think this could be be a good thing.

Whenever the topic of an all-woman's ride (such as either the Cinderella or LRRH) comes up on one of the other cycling boards, there is often an outcry mostly (but not exclusively) from men saying that it's discriminatory to have an all women's ride.

Yet, the Cinderella was the impetus for me to graduate from plotzing around on the bike path on my hybrid bike to getting into road cycling. And once I did the Cindy training rides and finished the Cinderella, there was no looking back! :)

And I think the Cinderella has been a similar motivator for other women cyclists in the Bay Area and beyond. Heck, a few weeks ago Lee and I were riding out on Canada Road (a very popular bike road up around Woodside) and we both noticed that at least half of the road cyclists out on that day were women - now how cool is that? And it makes me wonder, how many of those women we saw that day started road cycling after they came across a poster for the Cinderella and thought "gee, I wonder if I could do that?".

So, what's my point?

Just that I think an all-women's issue might pique the interest of women who otherwise might not think that bicycling is for them.

And once more women get into cycling, then perhaps we'll see more articles about women in cycling.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just that I think an all-women's issue might pique the interest of women who otherwise might not think that bicycling is for them.

And once more women get into cycling, then perhaps we'll see more articles about women in cycling.

I do see your point! But then again- if there is some article about women's cycling subjects in EVERY issue, whatever woman who picks up the magazine for a casual look will see it and get her interest piqued. If there is only one women's issue, that casual magazine browser might think from most issues they glance over that the sport is for men only ---unless she's lucky enough to see that special women's issue.

[Grog]

I do see your point! But then again- if there is some article about women's cycling subjects in EVERY issue, whatever woman who picks up the magazine for a casual look will see it and get her interest piqued. If there is only one women's issue, that casual magazine browser might think from most issues they glance over that the sport is for men only ---unless she's lucky enough to see that special women's issue.

I think you're both right:

There is a point in getting a women issue once in a while.

But every issue should be more women-friendly. And there is a long way to go for cycling magazines in that respect...

[SadieKate]

I'm with Grog. It seems that so much of the time women's only issues are focused around coordinating nail polish with your jersey color. If the issue would be a bit more hardcore PLUS incorporating women into the monthly issue it would be great. I don't even need women-focused articles; I just want to see women in the pictures, articles, etc. Frankly, I feel like Bicycling is doing a pretty good job of this with the Fit Chick, the Wrench Chick, whatever they're called. When they do that short article on the "right bike for so-and-so" they use women sometimes. I'm definitely seeing improvement.

I just wish Cannondale would bring back the Lefty fork advertisement.:rolleyes:

[chickwhorips]

It seems that so much of the time women's only issues are focused around coordinating nail polish with your jersey color.

you mean there are other issues besides that. :rolleyes:

[7rider]

Didn't Bicycling Mag used to have a "regular" article on women's issues? Beyond "Fit Chick" or whatever? It's been a while since I've been a regular reader that I forget.
Perhaps their known demographic does not justify their including women's issues in ALL editions and it is more cost effective for them to just cover women's issues every so often (from the start of this thread - it sounds like a "Women's article" and NOT an edition.
Squeaky wheel gets the oil - if they don't see women's names on their subscription list....if they don't get letters and emails from women, they'll be content with status quo.

[kelownagirl]

Whoo hoo, I'm gonna be in the July issue! I had a phone interview a month ago but didn't hear anything back and then this morning, she emailed with another question and said I'd be in the special issue! I know there are others here who sent in their "story" - did anyone else get interviewed?

[chickwhorips]

great news KG!!!!! woo hoo!

[limewave]

I'm in too! I was hoping to get free gear out of the deal but I don't think that's going to happen. But I'm still excited :D

[kelownagirl]

Whoo hoo - hopefully more from TE too!

Free gear? - hadn't thought of that - wouldn't that be nice. :D

Did you send them a picture? She asked me to email one and didn't care if it was biking or not, just wanted one of me full body shot. I'm wondering if they're going to use that, or no pic, or take another one? Regardles, it's very exciting!

My students are SO excited about it - I'm glad it'll be out before the end of June so they can see it. :D

[uforgot]

My students are SO excited about it - I'm glad it'll be out before the end of June so they can see it. :D

You're in school until the end of June?!?!?!?! :eek: When do you start?

By the way, congratulations! I have a subscription, so I'll see ya then!

[Bike Goddess]

I just sent the email to a friend in my club who is riding across the country- from San Diego, or somewhere near there, to Boston- a diagonal trek. She is raising money for a church charity. I believe she is 67 or 68!

I hope she also gets in touch with Christine. We'll see!

[kelownagirl]

Kids last day, June 28th, Teacher's last day, June 29th.

We start the first Tuesday of September, or day after Labour Day.




You're in school until the end of June?!?!?!?! :eek: When do you start?

By the way, congratulations! I have a subscription, so I'll see ya then!