If you’ve been a regular for a year, ignore this as this post as it’s a bit like when you look between your legs to see which gear you’re in. This post explains things but won’t necessarily give you anything new.
There are more and more readers these days to the point where I feel some responsibility. I feel cautious about expressing views and worry that I can’t spot spelling mistaks before hitting the “publish” button. But it’s great to see so many interested in the things I’m covering and if you’re new, just a pointer for things.
Twitter = instant
I’m on twitter and it’s here you’ll get instant reaction and news. If you’re after breaking news then keep an eye on this. You don’t have to have a twitter account as the most recent posts are included on here but obviously that’s only the last few tweets. To get the full birdsong / guano dump you can visit the twitter pager at http://twitter.com/inrng
inrng.com
Here on the blog you’ll find a mix of ramblings and reflections. Please feel free to comment on the articles and note that when you do this you can ignore the “email” and “website” fields on the comment fields. It helps me identify you if you pick a consistent username and want to return to the comments again and again but feel free to post under “anon” or whatever you like. It often makes my day to read comments, thoughts and feedback.
Also many follow via RSS but be sure to drop by the site from time to time as the visual content works better here, from photos to embedded videos.
Advertising
I’m going to feature adverts on the blog. Or rather an advert, one single spot. I asked for views before and most people seemed ok. As you might guess I’m sensitive to reader opinion. Even if inrng.com is a personal fiefdom, the comments and ideas from readers is what makes it worthwhile. It’ll only be on the corner of the screen so hopefully you don’t mind. This starts on 1 April.
Copy n’ paste
I’ve only been doing The Inner Ring for a year and bit. Last year I wrote a few pieces about the classics and I might revisit them, borrowing the text heavily from last year. Apologies if you’ve seen it before, I’m not copying old bits because I’m lazy, it’s more a way to bring it to a wider audience.Readership levels have soared in recent months so I’ll aim to bring the best bits about the cobbles and more to a wider audience again.
Suggestions
If comments are good, email’s great too. Feel free to run suggestions for subjects on here by email. I’ve got a long “to do” list but will try to cover as many subjects as possible. In general if you don’t get an email reply from me it’s because your message got eaten by the broom wagon spam filter, I do try to reply to anything that lands in my inbox.
Maybe enable clean URLs on your blog? So instead of http://inrng.com/?p=2221 the url would become http://inrng.com/p/2221 (saves you 1 character in Twitter!) or even better: http://inrng.com/2221 (just not sure if WordPress allows this)
Any thoughts on some putting together some INRNG kit?
Only one thought: please keep up the good work!
Your articles are often very insightful and feature content I’ve never heard of/read anywhere else – a rare commodity in cycling journalism. I particularly enjoy your musings on individual riders, their quirks, strengths, history etc so if you are going to focus on a specific direction on the blog I would suggest going this way
huphtur: I had a look but it’s not easy, they are as short as they can be now.
Tomass: no, it hadn’t crossed my mind! Yes there’s advertising coming but I’m not trying to maximise profits, just having some fun. Handling the orders and distribution could be tricky but I’ll keep my eyes open.
Yorkie: thanks. I too like sharing the more curious bits of information about a rider and will try as long as I can. As for a “rare commodity in cycling journalism”, thanks but I’m merely a blogger typing in my spare time, no press card etc.
As others before have said keep up the good work.
Great blog, very insightful and thought provoking.
I know what you mean about the mechandising thing but some shirts would be fun.
I’m really glad I found this blog last year. It’s great that you’re enjoying it, because I don’t want the fun to stop! I find the posts you’ve written on quirky European-isms and how they relate to cycling to be especially fun. But it’s ALL good stuff.
You don´t need at press card, you miles ahead, the press card holders needs you! Thanks.
I used to have an interest with the sport in the 80’s following the Milk Race with a chart on my wall, but its only recently that I have got back to cycling again and reseurrecting my interest in the sport.
I’ve got to say that your blog is an excellent reference point for me as a novice and I regulary visit it to catch up with what is going on.
I think you have found a great style of writing that reflects your knowledge and passion for cycling and I doubt anyone would object to a little advertising on the blog. It certainly won’t distract my reading enjoyment.
Keep up the great work!
Great website, I look at it everyday as an escape from work, sometimes multiple times. Your short, frequent and insightful articles are really appreciated. One thing you could tell us about is you. Not personal details, but maybe about how you first fell in love with cycling, your bike, favourite rides etc.
Hi, just discovered your blog recently, and am now following by RSS, and wanted to say thanks, I’m enjoying it immensely.
I’ve been wanting to tell you what a nice, clean look your pages have. The formatting is simple, but excellent and very easy to read.
Matt, just keep at it. As a reader from pretty much the beginning, I find what you do as good as any professional journalist out there.
Because you aren’t as constrained as others, you are probably able to be more free with your opinions if you wanted, but they are always very considered and rational and that is one of the reasons that makes your blog such required reading. That, the fact that you look at the sport from a slightly different angle to everyone else and that you bring those additional (business, national identity) insights to the sport.
Along with a few other select blogs to some respect you’re at the forefront of a media revolution in cycling that the “professionals” are scrabbling to keep up with. Hopefully you’ll somehow figure a way to be able to keep this up and even grow more, without having to compromise for a paymaster.
If you ever do decide to get a press card, follow the Kimmage path.
On the kits, check out velominati.com. Some good stuff and a terrific kit—not made really for profit, but rather to build a broader sense of community.
Thanks guys.
van Loenen: where to begin. Like many I enjoyed riding as a kid. I saw the racing on TV and others at school did too. Some began to race, I did a bit and as they say in French, I “caught the bicycle” virus.
“and worry that I can’t spot spelling mistaks”
Oh the irony 😉
The blog is superb – as is the twitter stream. I don’t even bother with cyclingnews any more. Quality writing (forgiving the odd speeling (sic) mistake) with great insight.