As Bike Hugger gets bigger, even more “huggy” and “bloggy,” I updated our about page to explain better who we are and what we do. Straight up, Bike Hugger is bike culture blogged and we’re about the cycling lifestyle.
Well, how did we get here?
Bike Hugger started, just about a year ago, after I noticed a surge in bike-to-work riders, a change in the air, a wisp of urban bikes, and spotted a long-tail, sport utility bike. I thought, “huh, something’s going on” and began paying more attention. What I noticed, some call an urban bike renaissance and for the most part it’s flowing out of Portland. I visit Portland a lot and was even more intrigued by the scene there.
At my day job, I run a small design firm that specializes in building blogs for big and small clients. I’ve ridden bikes for as long as I can remember, race them, and just into bikes. Combine cycling with blogging know-how and you get Bike Hugger.
So I started posting, other bloggers joined me, built Bettie, went to Interbike and amazingly met like-minded people in the industry.
Those people led us to variations partnerships, products reviews, and the Bike Hugger becoming more diversified beyond Seattle and me.
A group blog
We think of ourselves as like Boing Boing for bikes: covering all sorts of cycling topics with different voices. For someone in a marketing department somewhere that’s confusing for sure … “they’re talking about Easton wheels, commuting, traveling, critical mass, Bettie, SUBs” and all on the same day. We think all those topics add to the mix; while some hit and many miss.
For example, I may think that those little valve replacement thingys for Aero wheels are the coolest thing ever, while readers want to know more about Kona’s Ute. We’ve noticed and are focusing more on reader responses, like Andrew asking what you wanted us to cover at Interbike.
The Business
Bike Hugger is a business, part of Hugger Industries (a network of blogs), and a Textura Design company. We run ads, sell goods, sponsor a team, offer unique advertising opportunities, and our working on products with our partners. I’m working hard on growing Bike Hugger even bigger and have lots of hope and even a vision thing.
Leave a comment on this post, contact me, or tell me on a ride sometime what you think of Bike Hugger.
FAQ
The obligatory FAQ …
- Are you a bike shop?
- No. But we spend way too much time in them and Mark V works at one.
- What do you do?
- I tried to explain that in this post.
- Who are you?
- Cyclists and bloggers.
- I’m Confused
- We get confused as well and then just go ride and it becomes clearer.
- What is Blogging?
- I wrote a book about that.
I think you are doing a great job, DL. Keep it up.
FWIW, I’m a Seattle dwellin’, two xtracycle-ownin’, custom frame ridin’ parent of two with a love for dutch cycling culture (well, lots of northern europe. I mean, what’s not to like about: http://copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com/) with a need to get some of the aero wheel valve extender thingys (Why are they so hard to find!). So, you have me and my needs totally nailed. Thanks for that!
You guys are doing an excellent job. I love your bike blogging goodness. I’ll see you all at Interbike in a couple of weeks!
Thanks guys we’ve got much more coming, including an announcement about Interbike, and the just-announced jerseys