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The forum members ride report is a good idea. The report that Molgrips wrote about his South Downs Way ride is still the best thing I've read about a ride.
Any mileage in a ‘forum member normal ride’ series
"Readers' Rides"
The magazine is my main reason for subscribing
Holy shit guys, we found one!
Love Singletrack. The print mag is a highlight for me, by far my favourite MTB magazine. So much so that I have cancelled the others, but wont ever cancel Singletrack. Ill keep buying merch whenI can too!
“Readers’ Rides”
That rings bells with me so I guess it's happened before, but I'm not thinking where the reader shows off the best they've got for a special day out unless it just so happens that's what they would be doing anyway. I was imagining much more low key, whatever floats the person's boat and they manage to fit into their every day lives on whatever type of bike type rides. I reckon there's enough variation round here to keep it interesting for at least 2 seconds.
That rings bells with me so I guess it’s happened before,
Dunno, it's possible, but I just made it up. It might ring bells to purveyors of a slightly more infamous magazine though.
@Mark Alker,
I may have missed this so apologies if there is any repetition. Have you considered a crowdfunding exercise along the lines of what Atherton did with their bike brand? Gives investors a sense of being part of something and builds on the community feel that we see in the forums?
Also, how about stealing the readers bike review theme from GMBN for the magazine. Dare people to send in the build no matter how bling or bland and put it up for light hearted scrutiny each mag?
There is something in bringing members together for rides as well but I can't build on the seed of the idea. Something about local experts(only experts on the area not at riding) based around the country or something who are willing to advise on where/what/how for people on hols or just looking to try somewhere new. We don't all have a group of riding buddies despite what the perception is.
Another interesting thing I have got involved in, which is new and yet to actually fire up, is https://kit-up.sharetribe.com/en/infos/about anything that could be worked around collaboration with this team to bring together riders and bikes as they travel?
Dunno, it’s possible, but I just made it up. It might ring bells to purveyors of a slightly more infamous magazine though.
I'm way too innocent to get that reference.
The legendary adult feature of 'Readers Wives' was invented by Tim Manley - Editor at Large of MBUK. It was in a former publishing life of his when he was involved in 'those' magazines.
And now a confession
In 1998 he approached me (Freelancer at the time for Total MTB) to help him launch a new feature for the mag called 'Readers Wives'. This was to be a regular feature where the gf or wife of a regular reader would write in with their experience of being in a relationship with a mountain biker. The idea was to be a vehicle for other halves to either rant about the 'competition' or more hopefully to be an opportunity for 'partners' to join in and ride with their MTB (male) partners on the trails. A sort of 'can't beat them, join them' concept.
Yes... it's a terrible idea now (to be fair it was awful then) and it really didn't get anywhere, thankfully. However, my input was to be the first contributor under the nom-de-plume 'Amanda' in order to stimulate submissions from genuine partners.
I'm cringing writing this.
The idea of a local readers rides is a really good one. Am sure there are a load of toys that people ride regularly that wouldn't be known about, at least not in their entirety. Might be a little cheeky included in most though
I’m cringing writing this.
If it helps with your penance Mandy, no-one now will ever let you forget it.
Crowdfunding exercises?
How about you crowdfund poaching Mint Sauce from MBUK, then print the Mint page in quality paper, ready for framing...
Might be a little cheeky included in most though
And there lies the rub.
We absolutely cannot publish anything that is illegal or even contentious. That alone rules out a huge amount of trail guide type articles. Plus we'd have to come up with an angle that stops it being just another 'classic ride' guide.
I'm much more attracted to features about the people behind the usernames and especially their bikes and why they chose them. Legally totally safe and is more interesting than someone's local trails.
And as for crowdfunding. That's an interesting suggestion that we've talked about a lot. Then someone usually asks the question, 'What's the difference between crowdfunding and buying a membership?" or what perks would you include in a crowdfunding tier? maybe a years worth of magazines? or special access to online features?
The dawning realisation is that we've been crowdfunded by users like you from the very beginning. 400 readers crowdfunded our first ever issue for £12 each 🙂
Also, how about stealing the readers bike review theme from GMBN for the magazine. Dare people to send in the build no matter how bling or bland and put it up for light hearted scrutiny each mag?
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/readers-rides-toms-ra-410/
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/readers-rides-toms-steampunk-deviate-highlander%EF%BF%BC/
There are others, but none as nice as those. 😉
You could expand "Readers Rides" to be about their bike too, I'm quite interested in some people's choice of gear ( and it isnt always about cost )
Plus we’d have to come up with an angle that stops it being just another ‘classic ride’ guide.
My angle was that it's almost the opposite of a classic ride. It's an every day ride. It's what you do if you have an hour after work and it's not raining, or you're up before everyone else on a Sunday. Anyway I'll not keep banging on about it, and certainly I can see that steering clear of anything cheeky might be a challenge!
Follow up idea, how about 'how to plan a good route if you want to go somewhere that's not a trail centre'? Although dunno how interested in that kind of thing people are these days given how many apparently can't read a map.
So now, when we see an article was written by "Amanda", how will we know which one? Perhaps you could change your t-shirt in your profile picture to one that says, "Fly me."
I like the readers bikes articles that crop up occasionally ... as something to drool over, but bear little resemblance to anything I could afford to buy/build.
I'd happily contribute my own as a 'readers-bikes-on-a-budget' feature... but perhaps there is not the interest there?
@tomhoward, how have I not seen this? Is it in the print version or just digital?
@hardtailonly, I think if it was written well then a bike on a budget would be as interesting as all the bling
The readers rides isn’t just about daft bling. If you have a sentimental attachment, cool story or something related to the bike, submit it and it might get shown on the strength of that.
TJs bike is in there, it’s a nice bike but there’s a lovely story behind it too.
This thread alone demonstrates the strength of the Singletrack community.
As far as subscriptions go, I prefer digital as I often don't read the mag for ages then binge read if I'm on holiday. It's easier to carry one ipad than six magazines.
And with that, if improving the search function of the website is on the cards, may I also suggest an index for the mags. It would be really helpful to find "which edition was it that tested three Dave Weagle suspension designs?" or some such.
It’s a members feature of the website
This needs to be in lovely print as well
Incidentally,
The artwork / photography in the mag is rarely less than top notch, but I love this month’s cover. I genuinely had a little bit of a gasp when I saw it. Kudos.
Just seen this comment - thanks @cougar, that means a lot!
This needs to be in lovely print as well
Problem is, it takes up a lot of space having a lot of pics (that’s why reviews are better done online imo), and if you are using users pics, they need to be a dab hand on the ol’ picture maker, else it looks shit on the page.
@tomhoward, this is a very good point.
@mark, I was going to donate something earlier but then wondered if actually gifting someone a digital membership would be a better way to spend the cash? Is having more members better than cold, hard, cash?
Can I just ask if I anyone is having problem with the merch pages - doesn't seem to want to show me very much - have you all bought the coffee and beers already?
Can I just ask if I anyone is having problem with the merch pages – doesn’t seem to want to show me very much – have you all bought the coffee and beers already?
I suspect that is exactly what has happened. Stock does seem very low now
Which is a good sign I hope.
Jigsaw in my basket for Dad's birthday present 👍
Can I just ask if I anyone is having problem with the merch pages – doesn’t seem to want to show me very much – have you all bought the coffee and beers already?
Sorry, i bought some coffee
A ‘thumbs up’ reaction is coming in an upcoming release (After the theme update). If that had already happened I’d be clicking the ‘thumbs up’ icon on lots of posts on this thread 🙂
👍
However, my input was to be the first contributor under the nom-de-plume ‘Amanda’ in order to stimulate submissions from genuine partners.
Were you in that VW advert too "At weekends my name is Mandy?"
I like the idea of a regular 'everyday' ride section. It would really highlight the diversity of geography and styles of riding.
I know some don't like the first person stuff, but I think a "How I got to here" concept would be fun. There'd be people who've only just found the sport and others that pre-date Sturmey Archer. I recently went back to the woods I first rode an MTB in 30 years ago (still not on Trailforks) and it certainly made me reflect.
Oh Mandy well
You came and you gave without taking
But I sent you away
Oh, Mandy
Well, you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
So I "P"d you today
Oh, Mandy.
If, as you said earlier on the thread that, you have no problem getting mtb product to review hence FGF why are you reviewing deep fat fryers in the article? What mtb products got bumped to include the cookery section?
If I want to learn about cooking equipment I wouldn’t be on a mountain bike website?
I guess you're not a fan of chain waxing?
@Mark Why did this weeks FGF only contain a passing mention of Brie? I'm sure some readers are interested in shoes made of questionable mathematics but I only buy the mag to read reviews of creamy dairy products.
I guess you are new to FGF. We've always thrown in the occasional curveball to FGF. Nothing got bumped because we have infinite space in a web story. We were once sent 48 boxes of chocolate biscuits - We put them in FGF.
We also post music videos in every FGF too although occasionally one or two may have a passing The Chain style link to riding bikes.
FGF is a fun bit of editorial that we use to show off the new stuff that's arrived. Charlie this week has been very vocal about his new toy to the point where on his stag do last Saturday outside a pub in Todmorden one of the group said, "Hey Charlie, do you think that bloke over there has an Air Fryer? You should go and ask him!".
Oh, and if you click the links underneath his contribution this week and buy one we get a commission 🙂
Most of the chat in this forum has nothing to do with bikes - Sometimes FGF likes to reflect a little bit of that.
Apologies for annoying you with this.
Here's an idea for an article. Which kitchen appliances can be used to wax your chain?
Bonus points if you manage to get pictures of someone being spoken to sternly by a fireman as smoke pours out the kitchen window.
just re subscribed to digital membership. i love this place. dont come on so much nowadays, but would hate to see it go.
ps, can charlie source some XXXL stw t shirts ?
He's listened and he's busy sourcing.
🙂
I was about to subscribe for a year, but it appears to suggest an automatic renewal in a year’s time. Is that correct?
STW is ace, been a full subscriber for years and would have no stress paying what I need to in order to get that fresh magazine smell and feel of the paper every few weeks. The stories and images are full of inspiration and unrivalled!!
I was about to subscribe for a year, but it appears to suggest an automatic renewal in a year’s time. Is that correct?
Yes that's right. Once you have subscribed you can go to your subscriptions settings n your account and click the cancel button. That will cancel the future payment but you will remain a members until then.