I went back to find the original email that asked for our "stories" and I hate to admit that they didn't really misrepresent the story idea. That's not to say I like what was eventually written but here's what they were asking for... It's pretty much what they wrote...


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