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???

[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.

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 .

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.

[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.

[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.

[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!!

[Trek420]

SadieKate "I just want equal opportunity. "

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?