Sponsor The Inner Ring

Tuesday, 15 January 2013

Dirk Hofman ad

The website’s been well supported by in recent times but there’s space for a sponsor. If your business or your client would like to follow in the slipstream of Selle Italia, Strada Wheels, NeilPryde Bikes, Competitive Cyclist, Seven Cycles and Ride Cycle Review then read on.

If you are viewing this on the web then see that spoof Dirk Hofman motorhomes ad in blue? This space could be yours.

  • Any content can be included in the 240x240px box, whether static images or dynamic script
  • You get an advert on the mobile version (iPhone, Blackberry etc) of the site too plus the RSS and email feeds too
  • Exclusivity with no other ads on the page
  • Reach hundreds of thousands of intelligent English-speaking cycling enthusiasts every month

Please get in touch if you’d like to learn more:

For readers: most people who view this note will be readers, not business owners or ad buyers. As a blog, this site isn’t a business and I only feature on ad at a time as I’d prefer to avoid a screen of blinking ads. But whether it’s buying photos from the Cor Vos agency or visiting races and checking race routes to write previews there are costs involved and the more revenue I get here, hopefully the better the coverage.

Also people often email to ask about a t-shirt. If anyone has any recommendations on a firm that could handle the production and distribution, drop me a message so I can look into this.

{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }

Julie @julesmpg January 15, 2013 at 9:17 am

I hope a sponsor comes along. I would buy a shirt.

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Guy January 15, 2013 at 9:29 am

Yes, good luck with further sponsorship. I wouldn’t begrudge additional ads either, as long as they were static.

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Salsiccia January 15, 2013 at 10:38 am

Agreed.

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Ackattack January 15, 2013 at 9:37 am

I would buy a shirt.

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Skippy January 15, 2013 at 9:38 am

The work you do , on our behalf , is truly appreciated ! However , i for one will not be able to enjoy your blog if it has ” blinking Ads “! They are hard to load in marginal Broadband areas , such as where i live ,and i rarely spend time looking at them , let alone wait for the next to appear .

Would be grateful if you are able to pass a few ” sponsors ” my way , since i too have expenses riding the routes of the Grand Tours . This year would like to do more for ” world bike relief “, but getting one of their bikes around without the help of others could be the stumbling block ?

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InTheGC January 15, 2013 at 10:07 am

Forget the shirt – I want an Inrng Jersey!

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Anonymous January 15, 2013 at 10:26 am

+1. A jersey would be much, much better!

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Adam W January 15, 2013 at 10:27 am

Forgot to put my name, oops!

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Rooie January 15, 2013 at 10:54 am

+1 but if you would ask me to donate, it would be ok too

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Felipe January 15, 2013 at 12:53 pm

+1

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Paul Jakma January 15, 2013 at 1:22 pm

+1 on that, especially if it’s wool and not too flashy. :)

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Tam January 15, 2013 at 7:18 pm

+1 Inrng jersey would be great. +1 for warmth, it’s chilly here in San Francisco!

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Karl W January 15, 2013 at 10:10 am

Good luck with the sponsor search. InTheGC is correct, INRNG jerseys all the way!

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Nick January 15, 2013 at 10:26 am

Had to laugh when I saw the Dirk Hofman Motorhome ad, I thought : ‘that’s it they’re going global’…

I agree on the INRNG jersey, I’d buy one ! Sorry not much help here re suggesting a company that could produce and distribute them.

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Colin January 15, 2013 at 10:31 am

+1 for the INRNG jersey… that would be class… you could contact these guys in Ireland, they produce the custom gear for my club:
http://www.wattcustom.com

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TomC January 15, 2013 at 10:35 am

inrng should make both t shirt and jersey, i’m sure they would sell.

I am also impressed, but not surprised, by the claim of hundreds of thousands of readers of the blog. Congrats Inrng!

Of course flattery will get you anywhere, i am an ‘intelligent reader’ :-) !

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peter mckeown January 15, 2013 at 11:02 am

Hope your search goes well, I to would love to wear your jersey.

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Deb January 15, 2013 at 11:17 am

Have you thought about contacting Mark Renshaw, whose clothing company is in its infancy?

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veloguts January 15, 2013 at 11:49 am

+ 1 for a Jersey

you should also add a donations link

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The Inner Ring January 15, 2013 at 1:24 pm

I’ve thought about donations but it would probably make for an irregular income. Plus there are many readers that the space for an ad is valuable and it’s worked so far with many cycling companies renting the space.

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Gavin January 15, 2013 at 11:56 am

I’ve never been called intelligent before. Thanks INRNG!

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Hussein January 15, 2013 at 12:09 pm

+1 Jersey, cap, mug, skin care products…

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Bill Ward January 15, 2013 at 12:10 pm

MUG? Consider that bought..

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Bill Ward January 15, 2013 at 12:09 pm

If adding to a stream of +1s has any effect I also add my +1 to the roar. I would happily donate and would love a T-Shirt. A little care by you in having people as opposed to a Google Bot selecting your advertising is much better too.. At least it’s relevant.

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Bill Ward January 15, 2013 at 12:13 pm

Given the look of the website etc you’re obviously more than capable of sorting the artwork but if you do want a hand I’d be happy to help..

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AK January 15, 2013 at 12:57 pm

Even a link on the site to a donation via Paypal or something would be OK with me. I bet there are plenty of other readers that also think the content here is worth something. But of course, buying a real INRNG jersey is way cooler than than just dropping some cash.

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stuartrc January 15, 2013 at 1:45 pm

+ 1 for t shirts and Jersey’s. I would buy a couple a year as my subscription.

Might be worth asking sufferfest who he gets to do his stuff

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Bruno Sousa January 15, 2013 at 1:54 pm

My cycling team had bibs and jerseys made by capo – excellent quality. Not sure how it works, but Google could probably give you an answer.
+1 on jerseys. + 1 on not minding more ads.

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toddbhowman January 15, 2013 at 2:21 pm

I would most definitely buy and wear an INRNG tshirt. As far as cycling wear is concerned might I suggest a kit, bibs and jersey, made by Santini. I would go with a white kit with blue or black INRNG logo and a black or blue kit with white logo. ‘pro’ fit would be best!

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Alex222 January 15, 2013 at 2:31 pm

It is a joy to get such great analysis and comment from INRNG. I would happily do what little I could and buy a t-shirt / jersey. Best of luck in finding another sponsor.

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Higgins January 15, 2013 at 6:26 pm

Im sure it wont be long before we see another reputable name in the sponsor slot, as this has to be one of the most informed and influential cycling blogsites in existence. I would buy a T-shirt, but of course that wont keep the blog running month after month.

Whoever gets their name on this site doesnt just receive traffic, they also gain the kudos of being associated with what is for most of us, the go-to site for real news and opinion on our favorite sport. As they say, its a no-brainer…

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L_Islandais January 15, 2013 at 7:24 pm

Surely some book publisher is willing to feature an ad here. I’ve bought more books because of INRNG reviews than anything else. Apart from that I +1 what everybody else is saying, this is the first website I go to every day (or the last one before I go to sleep).

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Worzel January 15, 2013 at 8:28 pm

Another +1 on a jersey or a T-shirt. Now that Paul Smith is finished designing the new Giro jersey, maybe he could turn his attention to earning his stripes on a INRNG design?

Good luck with the search for a sponsor, again like others I’d be happy to have a couple of ads on here if that helps but would rather that they were static unlike the car crash that certain other cycling news websites are becoming.

Talking of other cycling websites and your kind compliment as to your “intelligent English-speaking cycling enthusiasts”, when you compare the insights provided by your blog and some of the commentators to the sheer lack of journalism provided by some of those sites and the utter drivel that comprises their “comments”, long may INRNG live!

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Steve Potts January 15, 2013 at 9:13 pm

Send me an INRNG sign and I’ll stand by the road at Amstel Gold!

Steve

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AK January 15, 2013 at 9:45 pm

Seems like the jersey is a popular idea! Maybe bio-racer is an option for manufacturing? They do team jerseys for hundreds of Dutch amateur clubs http://www.bio-racer.com/team .

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inopinatus January 16, 2013 at 12:31 am

I click through to see what INRNG advertisers have to say. Any company classy enough to sponsor this website deserves a look.

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Timo January 16, 2013 at 1:05 am

Have you ever considered Kickstarting your site for running costs? Much like what Penny-Arcade did (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pennyarcade/penny-arcade-sells-out)

Basically it gives fans a chance to directly fund your site ad-free for a period of time. Not sure how many readers you have here but i’d pay $15 to support this site and for no blinking ads. Crowd-funding, it’s the future.

You could also have a jersey/t-shirt reward tier.

Just a thought.

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M Niceisland January 16, 2013 at 3:07 am

A jersey? Anytime…

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Dontcoast January 16, 2013 at 6:45 am

You could run a preorder for the run of jerseys, shirts, hats, then you dont have to sit on inventory. I’d buy a jersey.

Have you hit up rapha or fairwheel bikes?

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Dai Bank January 16, 2013 at 12:54 pm

Been reading for a while but first time I’ve felt the need to comment
Add my name for a jersey, but I’m just a bit bigger than “Pro” fit. My club use Griffo at “myteamgiordana.com”, good kit and reasonably priced

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Chromatic Dramatic January 16, 2013 at 11:48 pm

What would the T-Shirt / Jersey say?

Perhaps, I am the Inrng?

Jersey etc would probably good. But I won’t go as far as saying I’d buy one, but I’d be tempted.

I think just the logo with some combo of black / white would look great.

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diamondjim January 17, 2013 at 6:33 am

Have you contacted Dirk Hofman Motorhomes (or Tornado Tom Frites) to see if they’d be interested in sponsoring? :-)

I’m warm on the idea of a jersey ( I have too many already) but would love a tee-shirt and/or mug. As for the design – keep it dead simple. Just the logo- //INRNG. -would be enough for me. Those of us here will understand.

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diamondjim January 17, 2013 at 6:36 am

Another thought – Twin Six design and make some nice gear, including a custom range for Fat Cyclist.
http://www.twinsix.com/

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The Inner Ring January 17, 2013 at 8:15 am

Thanks for the feedback and support here, it’s noted and I’m looking into the t-shirt and jersey project.

As you can see Ride Magazine have appeared and will be sponsoring for the rest of January.

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KMcD January 17, 2013 at 10:24 am

What about some form of subscription service where for a small fee (couple of €) every few months the best articles (judged by The Inner Ring) are packaged up into a nice PDF and sent to subscribers.

Type of thing I am thinking of are the historical articles, articles on rule and the business side of pro-cycling. might make a nice collection given the quality of the writing.

Oh, and the jersey/t-shirt idea is great.

@KurleyMcD

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