"I've used up most of my savings trying to do this and it’s time to go on to other pursuits," Eaton told the publication's 1500 Facebook fans, citing continued lack of support as the reason.
In the early days, She Pedals was entirely devoted to cycling with a range of articles on bikes, nutrition, fitness, rides and female riders/industry figures. However, that lack of support forced Eaton to rebrand the California-based magazine as Endure and include articles on swimming and running in an attempt to appeal to the triathlete market.
Could She Pedals have been viable? Probably. Even the upper echelons of the professional women's cycling world are virtually ignored by the established cycling press, yet more fans than ever before follow the sport and more women than ever before are riding bikes. It's still at grassroots level, but there's a definite sense of change in the air with new women's teams coming together; a feeling that maybe next year, perhaps the year after that, it's going to explode and finally receive the recognition, sponsorship and respect it's deserved for so long. At present the magazine trade is unaware of how large the market has the potential to become - had it have been otherwise, She Pedals would have been out there in more shops and more copies would have sold.
There'll be plenty of women's cycling magazines on the shelves in two years' time. She Pedals was just too ahead of its time.
Thanks for the write-up! I really appreciate it. It IS a really tough market; and contrary to what a lot of people think, the VAST majority of everyday female cyclists (women who do the large charity rides or ride just for fun) had zero interest in a magazine. The most telling weekend involved taking 2000 magazines to a ride with over 2500 women and handing them out for FREE! I only was able to give away 175 and many women looked right at me and said "I don't want a magazine about bicycling". This was a no obligation no sales pitch giveaway. Needless to say I left wondering why millions of women watch professional sports they will never, and most likely have never, played, but they aren't interested in a lousy magazine about something they do participate in.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange, isn't it? I was certain there'd be a market and I'm certain there will be in the future - if you choose to relaunch, I wish you all the best; otherwise, all the best in your future endeavours. :-)
ReplyDeleteA pity indeed!But as far as biking is concern, is a minor interest, even male cycling is not at all popular nowadays ... so who gives credit to women on bikes? I'd love to have such a magazine to read on a regular basis, meanwhile long live internet!!
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly not the case in the UK where men's cycling has been becoming increasingly popular for the last few years - not too long ago it was almost ignored, but Wiggins' Dauphine success made it onto the main evening news shows. I think this year, when the newly Cav-strengthened Team Sky do well at the Tour, it's going to be massive. Women's cycling is unfortunately still much less popular, but Emma Pooley and her comrades are doing a fine job in increasing exposure.
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