So, if you are into following cycling-related topics, from racing, to new bikes and gear, new technology, to deep dives into UCI shenanigans and even Strava dopers, you may have had occasion to read CyclingTips from time to time or listen to one of their many podcasts. What started as a little blog by an Aussie/North American engineer grew and grew to be quite a nice publication and community with a global team and unique insight. They were also among the first to really commit to cover, promote and support coverage of women’s cycling and had a number of female journalists and contributors (including José Been from Wahoo X SYSTM ProRides).
If you aren’t aware, CyclingTips went through a recent implosion of sorts after being acquired by Outside. It was slow at first with the somewhat quiet exit of their founder Wade Wallace, and then late last year they made some significant cuts to their team, including their Editor-in-Chief, Caley Fretz and other key staff. Shortly thereafter, other team members left one by one until there was barely anything remaining to save. Outside turned off their paid member forums and the ability to leave comments…
Well, this week, many of the former CyclingTips team (and even more including Jered and Ashley Gruber, Cosmo Catalano, Rob English, Rupert Guinness, Kristof Ramon) are trying to rebuild that lost community as something new, bigger and better, known as Escape Collective.
It will be a reader and user-funded “collective” and while they’ve only just announced their existence on March 1, they are already 60% of the way to meeting their funding goal. I invite you to check it out and consider joining the Escape Collective community if you are interested. I do not work there, I have no financial connection to this project, I just hope they will succeed and I am quite excited.
Subs are $99 per year with a lifetime option also available. Either way, you can be a “founding member” of this community and help this project get off the ground.
I would like to point out that if you are affiliated with a bike shop, it is only $10/year. If you work in a cycling-related/adjacent industry, they have an application for a reduced cost membership. They also are working on reduced cost memberships for some markets/geographical locations. Gift subscriptions are also soon to be an option.
There will be a website (it will be pay-walled but with a limited number of free articles per month), there is already a members-only Discord server (which just added a place to discuss or promote RGT rides), and there will be many podcasts. Check out their website to learn more.
P.S. - of possible note, Sir @David.McQuillen.KoS is already a “founding member”
