Poll: Women specific cycling magazine

[spazzdog]

blurider's "daydreaming" thread got me thinking (thank you blu) so I thought I'd put it up for polling here. A magazine covering women's cycing - pro & amateur racing, with articles for the rec rider as well.

Also, please discuss (at length)... other than pro racer profiles and race results, what features would you want to see regularly?

[bikerchick68]

tips and tricks that are women specific... how to perform maintenance (with step by step pictures preferably)... how to identify all those little parts on your bike... anything like that to help out a new female rider that is NOT mechanically inclined...

stuff about how women can mosteffectively train and fuel for riding, and the differences between what ya hve to do to race and rec ride...

lots and lots of WSD bike comparisons and who makes the bikes that fit women! I fit a guys bike but LOTS of women are shorter than me and bike shopping can be a nightmare and very frustrating...

OK... is that enough of a list??? :eek: :D

[CorsairMac]

Nutrition specific to women, a maintainence/mechanical section, and some type of accessories preview section ie: clothing, wsd helmets, shoes, etc.

[Irulan]

mountain or road or everything?

[Technotart]

The unmentionables or a column for embarassing questions. :rolleyes:

Maybe a triathletes and dualathletes column...

Nutrition is a BIG one - how to lose weight AND train for that endurance ride!

Coverage of womens cycling would be awesome. Maybe by providing a place for coverage, and sponsorship recognition, more women cyclists would be able to get more sponsorship.

I think it's a great idea!

[PinkRacer]

It would be wonderful to have a women's mag to cover all aspects of riding! Training, eating, clothing, more femail coverage, trips, etc etc.....

Its amazing how many people even females that ride have no clue there is a Tour de France for women! It seems to be such an un-tapped market with so many of us ladies riding these days... it just seems odd!

[spazzdog]

Irulan... both mtn and road. Both discipline's get minimal coverage in current publications. I think a publication that either dedicated 50/50 coverage per issue or a seasonal type coverage. I don't know anything abt mtn, so clue me in. It seems to me mtn would be less impacted by "bad" weather. Are the competitive seasons different ('chelle??)

As to triathlon/duathlon, no. I believe there's a mag already in existance that covers men and women pretty well. This question is specificly for cycling, which would of course compliment any triathlete's library of info :D.

spazz

p.s. Any grant writers out there?

[Crankin]

Wouldn't this be an interesting project to work on, Spazz? What about a grant from one of the foundations that supports women's sports? I know there are some of those. I just can't think of the names. I have written a few successful grants at work, but nothing like this.

[betagirl]

spazz - I'm a grad student so I have some experience with Grant writing :) Who are you thinking of going after for funding?

[Irulan]

do we get pics of hot half naked biker guys on the cover?

[SadieKate]

do we get pics of hot half naked biker guys on the cover?I want the pic of the fully nekkid guy who did the one-armed handstand in the Cannondale(?) ad a few years back.

[spazzdog]

uhhh, grrls... this would be women's cycling not playgrrl on wheels :D

however, we could make certain advertising recommendations I suppose....

but always remember that one grrls beefcake is another grrls forgetable meal.

This is sports... cycling... serious... not cosmo!

spazz

To the grant writers... I'm clueless. I know how to write, I know how to take pictures, I was a journalism major for a bit. I have a passport, and I have no money. This is a project that, if taken on, needs a team, not just one crazy dog. A business plan, a well written app for startup funds, etc.

I think it's a great idea... who wants in (seriously in). You "foreign" grrls too... any ideas!

I already know what I want to name it...

[betagirl]

I'm in Spazz. I think it's a great idea.

[Grog]

Count me in. But I have NO idea how I could help for now.

I'm a university researcher too so I'm used to grants writing. Mostly in French, but I can sure edit a bit in English too.

We could have travel articles. I read about the brew&bike tour and the like, and I'm quite excited every time. Women-specific tour companies (who was writing about the Trek&Spa tours??) would certainly be interested in advertising.

I generally can manage projects (basic budgetting, managing lists of all sorts, etc.) so I guess that could come in handy.

I'm glad you had this idea Spazz! That's great!

[runnergirl]

I'd love to help!

I just started as an editorial assistent for a academic journal, so I may have some insights into publishing in a couple months!

[JanT]

The bike magazines I've seen, both mountain and road, are lots of ads and hype for high end equipment. I usually don't feel there is much in there for little old average me, who rides for the fun of it. I rarely buy a bike magazine, although I will sit down at the library and read whatever they have there. I have never come across an issue that I've wanted to go out and buy because there was some really good information in it for me. So, I'd be looking for a magazine that provided lots of practical information, such as the kind that's shared here on the forum. I'd also like to see products reviewed and compared, but some lower priced things I could afford. Of course, maintenance and repair articles with step by step directions and photos, would be mandatory. A women's mag is a good idea. Back when I was a runner, there was a women's running magazine; I wonder if it still exists?

[Irulan]

ok, how about a serious post? :D

I have very little use for most cylcing and sports magazines. I can most everything that interests me in 15 minutes or less. I find most of them, if you read them long, just keep recycling ideas.

I was just kidding about the beefcake, you know. I'd be much more interested in the use of "real women" in photo shoots.

irulan

[RoadRaven]

do we get pics of hot half naked biker guys on the cover?


I want the pic of the fully nekkid guy who did the one-armed handstand in the Cannondale(?) ad a few years back.

I VOTE BIKERFOX!!!!!!!

[RoadRaven]

I think this is a great idea if anyone could get it up and running

I'm sure you'd get lots of potential article writers from here

Content would be what we talk about here... nutrition and training tips, looking after your bike - FAQs... different disciplines within cycling etc etc... just look at what the common threads and the most regularly talked about things here... perhaps a human interest story or two - something inspiring like Emily...

The trick will be getting advertising support... that will make or break the mag

But I'd place an order for it... and promote it in local shops, clubs etc if it rolled off the press the way I think we would like to see it...

[nuthatch]

Just like RoadRaven said, it's not the assembly of the mag that's the big challenge - it's attracting advertisers. You have to have an awesome marketing person who can find and keep advertisers who want to sell specifically to women, and it's not a big field out there, unfortunately. My sister-in-law started a mag called Dandelion (dandelionmag.com) that is dedicated to women in the outdoors (all sports) and it's pretty tough to 1) find startup funding and 2) keep advertisers interested in investing. So, if anybody has marketing experience.... :) I would LOVE to subscribe to a women's cycling mag!!

Articles on where to locate cute women's apparel
Bike fit for women with "body type" guidelines
Where to bike - safety issues
Interviews with women pros and how they got started
Encouragement for beginners
Success stories of "average janes"
Tips from folks like Irulan, who make bike clothing
Tips from mechanics
Recipes for on-road nutrition (Corsair, where are you?)
Special issues, like allergies, injuries, etc.
More articles that address the "spiritual" aspect of cycling, like this forum does! :) :)

[Satori78]

This is a great idea!! I have experience in design and magazine layout/publishing and pre-press.... plus a soon to be degree in advertising and pr.

[Trek420]

Degree in Graphics from C.C.A.C, 12 years experience in the field as an Art Director in publication design all currently being wasted working for da' phone company. I don't want to do design again. I told Spazz that my normal docile, helpful, kind, humorous, peacefull etc personality transforms into a homicidal raging b**** when faced with deadlines and production values no matter how much chocolate you give me. Wisdom, consulting, experience it's all yours gratis.

However, I cartoon and illustrate like a house afire ;-)

I've always felt, and shared with TE staff that I believe there's a book in this board. Consider publishing online. Whatever you do Spazz, the full page TE ad should be free and front and center on each issue because without this space there would be no idea.

Spazz, let the gals have their beefcake, I'll just look at the women in the ads ;-)

[SadieKate]

Spazz, let the gals have their beefcake, I'll just look at the women in the ads ;-)I just want equal opportunity. :p

[Bike Goddess]

Love the idea! Might talk to the Bicycling Magazine people about the idea. That mag is pretty much a guy thiing, but I do like some of the things they do for the community- the bikes they give away and then have stories about what happened after a few months, etc.

[juvel01]

Might add a "regional" section. Maybe have a running lists of clubs websites so people can connect with others.

What about:
Test rides of bikes - the female persepctive
Fitting bikes/parts to women (since most of them are designed for men and WSDs are still lacking)
Riding techniques for smaller/larger/thinner/fatter etc riders
Step by step bike maintenance (ok, he' s a man, but my DH is an awesome mechanic in an awesome shop and I bet he would do a few articles with pics)
Safety - dealing with dogs, unwanted attention, etc, maybe some self defense ideas?)
Bikes for the average person, I love reading about the latest $6k bike, but most people ride bikes that are well under $1k, how about a "Bang for Your Buck" section
Bike tours/trips/trails reviews

Also, I'd cover it all, road, mountain, cyclo cross, trials, BMX (there are a few women doing that), recreational, family biking, etc.

[Trek420]

SadieKate "I just want equal opportunity. :p"

foldouts! yep, we read the magazine for the interviews. ;) AG is voting for pictures of George.

seriously Spazz how about testing the waters as a blog supported by advertising, linkshare to TE and others, publish online, get sponsorship and readership and then go from there?

[LBTC]

Wow!

This is such a cool idea, whether in glossy magazine format, or busy online blog! I LOVE it! I hope that I can contribute something at some point, too!

If I think of something you girls haven't already said - and you've had so many great ideas! - I'll let you know.

Good work! Very exciting!

Namaste,
~T~

[Grog]

This is such a cool idea, whether in glossy magazine format, or busy online blog! I LOVE it!

I am not sure about the odds for a glossy magazine, but I am a happy subscriber to a couple of feminist zines (including Shameless Mag - http://shamelessmag.com - that's for teenagers but at 27 I still find it great!!) that are not on the glossy side of things and that's quite fine with me. I don't feel like I need that much advertising in my life.

A webzine with lots of contents with monthly publications could be great too, and may require less advertising support. Here's one I find kinda cool. It's in French but you'll figure it out (just the looks of it): http://www.p45.ca/ Considering the fact that women cyclists are everywhere, that could be easier...

[SadieKate]

foldouts! yep, we read the magazine for the interviews. ;) The lastest VeloNews has Ivan Basso. :D

[nuthatch]

Love the idea! Might talk to the Bicycling Magazine people about the idea. That mag is pretty much a guy thiing, but I do like some of the things they do for the community- the bikes they give away and then have stories about what happened after a few months, etc.

I think we should also talk to someone like Nike who's looking to get into women's cycling clothing/accessories. They're big bucks!!

[spazzdog]

To be perfectly honest I've always wanted to be involved in publishing. More on that later.

It needs to be a magazine... just like the big boys. I prefer the format (i.e. size) of a ProCycling rather than the oversize VeloNews. I don't want to copy Bicycling or Bike magazine. Though there will definitely be articles addressing recreational riders, I really want to take this into the racing scene... pro and amateur, all disciplines, including the spot lighting of cat3/4 up & comers. I think it's important to give these women a podium to stand on and in the process open up racing to more and more women.

As for the blog idea... too many blogs, very little, if any intellectual property protection.

First, as Trek420 mentioned, without TE, we wouldn't even be brainstorming this idea, not in a conference room, but around the world with a group of extraordinary women. And, yes... if this comes to fruition, TE ads are free. Perhaps they'll even link up to the online subscription request form. :D

There is a lot to do... a lot of it tedious and legal. Demographic studies ( I hit USAC up for some info today... and they sent it!).

Here's what/who I've got so far:

Robyn M - checking into women's sport foundations that do funding (grants)

betagirl & Grog - grant writers.

spazzdog - I'm looking into getting incorporated and trademarking the mag name, looking into advertising rates, putting togeter a listing of prospective advertisors.

I need a financial/business guru who can put together a business plan for probable inclusion in the grant and or bank loan.

Is there a lawyer in the house?

Does anybody know any billionaires that would be interested in backing this endeavor?

Until this becomes reality, I realize this is all volunteer activity. Up front, thanks for all the help, the ideas, and the support. When/if it becomes real... we're talking quite an exciting gig. Get those passports updated.

spazzdog

[Grog]

Though there will definitely be articles addressing recreational riders, I really want to take this into the racing scene... pro and amateur, all disciplines, including the spot lighting of cat3/4 up & comers. I think it's important to give these women a podium to stand on and in the process open up racing to more and more women.
[/QUOTE]

I'm afraid I really had a different thing on my mind. Women racers coverage is certainly VERY important and should be more out there, but, to be honest in turn, I'm not very interested in racing, be it by women or men, and I probably wouldn't read about it on a regular basis. And while I'm sure there is a marketing "niche" for a mag tending TO women cyclists, I'm not sure that there is one for a mag ABOUT women cyclist racers specifically. Women readers are the main readership of mags about women, and my feeling is that, in order to get them to pick up the mag AND buy it (and subscribe to it), it will have to talk to them somehow. Racing has to be introduced to them and they'll certainly enjoy learning about those women who challenge themselves racing, especially once they've been educated to the basics of the sport. But can it be the focus of a whole mag? Isn't the recreational/health/technical info more precious to a greater number of women riders at this moment?

However, I must say that I have no knowledge whatsoever of the women's racing scene. Maybe there is a high volume of women out there who would be the obvious primary subscription base of the mag... With your experience in this sport, you probably know better...

[Crankin]

I agree, Grog, with much of what you said. I do think that there should be all the stuff that Spazz listed, especially articles about Cat 3/4 riders, juniors, etc. It would be nice for more people to understand what racing is all about. That said, though, I think you will be left with a very small audience if you don't include articles for recreational/fitness riders. That is a huge group of people, which means $$$$. I am never going to race. But I would consider myself a serious recreational rider, who spends tons of money on cycling related stuff, clothes, equipment, vacations, books.... Judging from what i have seen around the area where i live there seems to be a huge increase in the number of people starting to ride... beginners who have bought nice hybrids, cruisers, etc who are out there riding. Get these people hooked and pretty soon they will buying that $1000.00 road or mountain bike. I don't think i would subscribe if the mag was just about racing.

[han-grrl]

A friend had sent me this womens special edition of Bicycling years ago. It was a great issue. They explained road and mountain bike parts, some skills, some articles on women's only trips, women's clothing.

I had always hoped another would pop up someday, but never has...

[spazzdog]

You misunderstand... or more likely, my response was too short. Sorry.

While I want to really put a spot light on women's racing, I do want to make content "speak to" the recreational cyclist. I understand the importance of not specializing ones self out of a very important (and large) readership.

Monthly (or quarterly, if a journal) standards should include not only racing results/features, but material for riders like us: gear reviews, maint tips, training tips, "best ride" locales, upcoming or reviews of charity rides, etc, etc.

I feel certain that this could be appealing to the many, not just a few. I and I'm sure others here are making note of what's wanted on the non-racing side of things.

spazz

[han-grrl]

Since i do race, i think having a racing component in a womens magazine is important. Its very difficult to please everyone all the time. one issue may be more race oriented while another might please the touring gals. Don't forget the free-ride/DH chicks...they are a growing population too!

Spazzdog, if you are seriously looking into this project, you need to decide what your mission is: who your target is and what is the message you are trying to convey e.g. To encourage women cycling everywhere. ok very general...but something like that means what i said earlier, each issue may have a slightly different focus.

my two cents ...alway s :)

[nuthatch]

Judging from what i have seen around the area where i live there seems to be a huge increase in the number of people starting to ride... beginners who have bought nice hybrids, cruisers, etc who are out there riding. Get these people hooked and pretty soon they will buying that $1000.00 road or mountain bike.

Interesting you mention this. I spent a few minutes looking for webzines about women's cycling after reading this thread and there's girlbike, of course, which is great (and currently on a pink break while sorting out technical difficulties) but the other one I found called straight bar hybrid bikes "crap bikes"!! I'm not going to support their website, needless to say. I'd buy a mag that covers all aspects of women's cycling. There's room for all of us on the roads and trails (and race courses :) )

[Grog]

Great I'm happy with that.

Just keep me posted.

[administrator]

You might try to get in contact with the publisher/editors of Her Sports magazine. They have a high quality glossy publication that recently launched (in the last year or two) so I'm sure they would have lots of relevant info to share (if they are willing to - they might consider it too close to home - you'd be a competitor for their ad dollars).

[SadieKate]

This? http://www.hersports.com

I get it for free for some reason. It may be of interest to runners but I find it worthless for cyclists. It's a little too soft and frilly for my taste. It does weight down the recycling bin well. It seems a little too much like the Ladies' Home Journal for runners. Just my 2 cents, feel free to rag on me now. ;)

PS - Jeff, I saw your ads in the BicyclePaper tour/race guides. Hope they bring you business. I thought those were cool publications and I'm going to subscribe to the newspaper itself.

[spazzdog]

Thanks Susan/Jeff (don't know who was 'admin' at that moment). I'll check the publication out.

spazz

[yvonne]

I think its a great idea. I am starting my own cycling line just for women so the magazine would be a great place for me to advertise, and include the magazine as part of my press release, when were you thinking of starting this?
Was it nuthatch that posted the response about nike, I'm very interested in getting more details about Nike wanting to get into womens cycling clothing/accessories, do you have any more info?
Your gonna love my ideas on getting womens cycling gear out of the dark ages, hope to have a line out for next spring.

yvonne

[spazzdog]

yvonne go to www.nikecycling.com for their complete line.

as for a date, who knows. this is the research/get a plan stage of the birth process.

good luck to you! we all await news of your line.

[RoadRaven]

Wow... so this is really happening huh?
So fantastic...

I'm a long way from you all, but if I can do anything to help, lemme know... will certainly take the mag into shops and promote at the clubs I have connections with once you are ready to make distribution international!

[spazzdog]

Working on it, at any rate. I'll keep y'all in the loop. It takes a village, after all.

If push comes to shove (i.e. no $$ to be found), I can probably convert my website to a clearing house for women specific products, gear reviews, features, etc. Direct feeds from other sites...

And a new original cartoon strip... (uh-uh, I ain't tellin').

wishin' on blurider's daydream tree,
spazzdog

[DirtDiva]

Don't have any particularly useful skills to offer, but I would read it.