Backtracking On The Magazine Topic

A few years ago I wrote a Rider Opinion Of The Month over on TwinSix.com. (the first I might add, HA!) I won't won't bore you with the whole story, if you want to read it, click the link. But the gist of it was that I was pretty much done with cycling magazines. That the dawn of the Blog, bike Forums and message boards had pretty much squashed my desire to buy a bike mag. For the most part, I still think that.

Why "for the most part"? Well for one, I'm a print guy. I do print graphics for a living. I like art, quality graphic design and graphics. I won't dare say I PRODUCE such things, but I do enjoy looking at them. I also enjoy reading and the pleasure that comes from lounging on the couch or front porch thumbing through a magazine. Flipping pages, re-reading, etc., Yeah sure, I know you can take your lap top out if you want to be all geek ass about it, but it's just not the same.

Over the past year I've started to see some magz that I REALLY want to check out. Keep in mind I've YET to actually BUY one of these magazines. But they are on my radar.

Rouleur: (Road). Class like I've never seen before.

Embrocation Magazine: (Cross/Road). Diggin' the vibe.

Cyclocross Magazine- (duh!) Really starting to dig the vibe but scared to look like a poser buying it.

I've saved my fave for last... Mountain Flyer- THIS MAG IS THE F*CKING BALLZ!!
I just saw this one at the book store the other day. I WANTED to buy it. But didn't. I'm not completely sure why not. I think because it's sorta Rocky Mountain specific. I passed on it not because I don't live in the Rockies, but because I HAVE been there 5 times. Just seeing and reading about the trails made me miss it and sorta weepy. Mountain Flyer is as close as I've come to seeing the perfect mountain bike mag in a good long while. Great pics, good info, reviews and lots of race coverage. The mag is mountain bike heavy with a BIG dollop of Cross and a little shot of Road.

One of my dreams, that has been seemingly smashed by the dawn of the Internet, lack of money and no experience, is to work for/produce a bike mag. In a perfect world I would blend Mountain Flyer with CX Magazine, BIKE, Embrocation and Rouleur . I would ditch most of the road content (no offense) and just focus on Mountain and Cross. I would have an online version as well that would be a blend of CyclingNews.com, Pez, Belgium Knee Warmers (except MOUNTAIN BIKE ONLY) and The Soiled Chamois (kidding about the last!). It would be the PERFECT mountain mag. I'm all hot and bothered just thinking of what that would be like. I need a cold shower!

Anyway it's Friday, there's no one reading my dross. Have a great weekend. I see many beers and few mile in my immediate future. OH well, I'm a mid packer for a reason! ;)

If I'm gonna make this happen I better go play Power Ball.

Later.