Fat Tire Flyer is online
02-12-23, 01:25 AM
#1
Retro on steroids
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Marin County, California
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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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02-12-23, 06:40 AM
#2
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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.
02-13-23, 10:44 PM
#3
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
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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!
02-14-23, 02:00 PM
#4
Partially Sane.
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Way cool, thank you!!! 😎👍😎
I'd probably fall into that canal, lol, but still love that pic. 😁
I'd probably fall into that canal, lol, but still love that pic. 😁
02-23-23, 09:53 PM
#5
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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!
