Cycle-centric "lifestyle" attractive to veterans and new recruits alike
Over the past 20 years I have been regularly reading a variety of bicycle periodicals in five languages and I'd say yours is rapidly becoming my favourite. Not only do I find Momentum interesting and entertaining, but I believe it is filling a vital niche in promoting utilitarian cycling in a manner likely accessible to a broad audience. Yours is a rare cycling publication that should be effective at recruiting new members to the cycle-centric lifestyle. The latest style issue in particular should appeal to both sexes, whether they ride already or not... I've never seen so many attractive women in a bike mag!
Thomas J. DeMarco M.D.
Whistler, BC
PS: On the subject of attractive women, any chance of resurrecting your personal ads?
A breath of fresh air for the windy city
I pick up momentum at the Millennium Park bike station in Chicago where I park my bike and take a shower after my daily commute. Your magazine is a breath of fresh air. When I first saw it I almost didn't pick it up thinking it was an ad brochure, but I figured since it was at the bike station it probably was interesting. I was quite surprised. I really enjoy the fashion articles, the stories of people that use bikes in their daily lives (the article on the L.A. photographer is great), and the gear page. BTW, Arkel in Canada makes a great convertible pannier/backpack called the Bug. The article by John Pucher really resonated with me. The only other bike magazine I subscribe to is Carbusters out of Europe since most other mags seem to be aimed at racers.
Jon Babbin
Chicago, IL
We'll be right over!
I just finished your Sept/Oct issue, and loved it! I had never heard of a fem biker magazine before my boyfriend just found this copy at our corner bike shop (Box Dog), brought it home and said, "Hey, I got this for you, it looks like your thing." And it is very much "my thing." Whenever I'm riding to an event in the evening in my three-inch heels and a biker guy yells something like "way to go!" I always say that it's easier to ride in them than it is to walk.
I'd like to encourage you to come to San Francisco. With all of our hills and train tracks, it's a unique place to ride. And like me, there are tons of girls who ride everywhere, rain, fog, or shine. We are not very fancy because of the endemic bike theft that plagues this area, but we have fun! The SF bike coalition is going strong, our Critical Mass can get out of hand, and "Sunday Streets" (our version of of Ciclovía) is popular. So please come visit and take lots of photos!
I ride a purple and red Raleigh mountain bike with a girls' seat and a loud bell. I've been hit by cars and won the door prize enough times to know that a hefty, truck-style bike can save my life!
Nina De León
San Francisco, CA
We have a couple of SF stories in this issue (page 12) and we are inspired by the talented, helpful, wonderful Bay Area bikers whom we've met and who have contributed to this and other issues of momentum. We hope to visit SF during SFBC's Winterfest on Dec 7, 2008. - Ed.
Loves laser jacket
You mentioned that you could not find a stylish rain jacket that also functioned for cycling, and I have something of that nature that I'm very fond of. It's that Mammut Laser jacket, which is a waterproof softshell that is designed for rock climbing, but functions very well on the bike. It's shorter in the front than in the back, and doesn't bulk up anywhere when you're leaning over the bike. It also has little thumb holes on the sleeves that keep it from slipping up your arms.
Aaron Zwiebel
Everyday clothes are not for everyone
I have been commuting daily rain or shine for the last five years. The only impediment to my riding is slippery roads due to ice or snow. 1.5 hours daily (30-kilometre return trip) on the bike in different weather conditions has prompted me to write and point out that wearing everyday clothes is really not an option in all circumstances. If your ride exceeds 30 minutes in relatively heavy rain you will get awfully soaked. If your everyday clothes are jeans and other similar material, you will regret being on the bike. In this case it is better to stick to well-established cycling gear as it will provide the appropriate level of comfort and safety.
We ought to show sensibility and intelligence in our approach and suggest that different commutes and bike rides will require different attires. No one set is going to work for every possible weather and bike trip.
Please keep publishing what I feel is a very good magazine.
Yetvart Hosepyan
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