Poll: Women specific cycling magazine

[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).