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

[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 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.