Fat Tire Flyer is online
#1
Retro on steroids
Thread Starter
Fat Tire Flyer is online
From 1980 until 1987 I published the first mountain bike magazine, the Fat Tire Flyer. It was supposed to be a club newsletter, but the club only met one time and the only thing that happened at the meeting was that my girlfriend and I agreed to photocopy a newsletter for the mountain bike community, which in 1980 numbered in the dozens.
How much "news" can you spread to a couple of dozen people who all knew each other? Not much, so we made it cute. It was easy, photocopy and staple, and kind of fun, but then it got out of hand. As the only thing in print for mountain bikers, people in other areas found out, and wanted to subscribe. The demand pushed us to learn how to actually publish.
Losing money every minute and learning on the fly, we staggered on until 1987, when the burgeoning mountain bike market inspired other publications who had actual business plans. Although I wrote for all the bike magazines, only in my own could I say what Bicycling wouldn't let me say. For better or worse, the Flyer was my most creative accomplishment.
I am in the process of scanning every issue of the Fat Tire Flyer and putting them online, starting with the photocopied beginnings. I'm not done yet, but you can check my progress. I am up to issue 26.
How much "news" can you spread to a couple of dozen people who all knew each other? Not much, so we made it cute. It was easy, photocopy and staple, and kind of fun, but then it got out of hand. As the only thing in print for mountain bikers, people in other areas found out, and wanted to subscribe. The demand pushed us to learn how to actually publish.
Losing money every minute and learning on the fly, we staggered on until 1987, when the burgeoning mountain bike market inspired other publications who had actual business plans. Although I wrote for all the bike magazines, only in my own could I say what Bicycling wouldn't let me say. For better or worse, the Flyer was my most creative accomplishment.
I am in the process of scanning every issue of the Fat Tire Flyer and putting them online, starting with the photocopied beginnings. I'm not done yet, but you can check my progress. I am up to issue 26.
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#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,929
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
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Awesome.
Every day i have less time to live and more stuff to distract me from living, but this should prove to be a worthwhile distraction. I will take advantage of your generosity.
Thanks.
Every day i have less time to live and more stuff to distract me from living, but this should prove to be a worthwhile distraction. I will take advantage of your generosity.
Thanks.
#3
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 14,662
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
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Charlie you are awesome! Thanks Repack Rider for everything you have done. Getting to read all these old magazines is awesome and getting them direct from the source is even more special!
#5
Senior Member
From 1980 until 1987 I published the first mountain bike magazine, the Fat Tire Flyer. It was supposed to be a club newsletter, but the club only met one time and the only thing that happened at the meeting was that my girlfriend and I agreed to photocopy a newsletter for the mountain bike community, which in 1980 numbered in the do
I am in the process of scanning every issue of the Fat Tire Flyer and putting them online, starting with the photocopied beginnings. I'm not done yet, but you can check my progress. I am up to i
I am in the process of scanning every issue of the Fat Tire Flyer and putting them online, starting with the photocopied beginnings. I'm not done yet, but you can check my progress. I am up to i
and thank you, Charlie!