Rough draft:

(sent to bicycling@rodale.com)

To whom it may concern,

After reading your magazine for nearly 25 years, I've noticed a tendency in the past several years for your advertisers to using highly sexualized images of women to promote their products.

Why is this necessary? Why do you allow it?

A bicycle is a wonderful thing. Riding a bicycle is a wonderful thing. One day, I hope my daughter will decide she wants to take up cycling. I want her to ride a bike because it's a source of joy for her. However, I'm afraid I won't be able to hand her your magazine because she will see the same silly crap about what her body should look like and what it should be used for.

For years, your magazine has promoted cycling as an activity for women. That is a worthy goal. However, I look at the advertising in your magazine and ask "Is a butt shot of a woman in 5" heels REALLY encouraging women to get on their bikes and ride?" It saddens me to realize that an otherwise quality magazine has chosen the same tactics as everyone else to make a buck.

At the risk of sounding like a retro-grouch, I hope your magazine goes back to the days when people got their picture in your magazine because they rode bikes.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.