Expensive Bikerumor readers,
As of immediately, I’m formally shifting on from Bikerumor.*
After I began this web site in 2008, it was to keep away from getting an actual job. Through the years, it definitely grew to become one, however, principally, it by no means felt prefer it.
Positive, there have been days, weeks, and months when it took every part I had. I bear in mind the early Interbikes, Sea Otters, and, finally, Eurobikes, after I would cowl the reveals from open to shut, then work till midnight writing tales about every part I’d seen that day.
As my community grew, these days bought longer with post-show beers and burritos (or schnitzel) with trade associates, then even later nights to compensate for the writing.
But, even after giving so a few years of hustle to feed this beast, Bikerumor has given me a lot extra.
It’s allowed me to journey the world, experience epic areas, get pleasure from wonderful experiences, and kind lifelong friendships with superior individuals. It’s let me experience the easiest bikes and elements, and opened doorways to the businesses and those who make them.
And it gave me a platform worthy of the superb writers, previous and current, which have helped fill the information feed each day. I can’t thank my group sufficient for all of their arduous work, and I’m lucky to name all of them associates, too.
That’s it? I’m finished?
First, lemme clarify that asterisk. It’s going to be a sluggish roll out, stuffed with excessive fives, over the subsequent month.
I’ve a whole lot of opinions I’d like to complete to honor the manufacturers that entrusted their merchandise to me. And as anybody within the trade is aware of, when you’re within the bike trade, it’s arduous to depart…it’s simply an excessive amount of enjoyable. It is a ardour trade, and I really like passionate individuals.
And, Zach, you possibly can all the time ship me to product launches in a pinch. As a result of I’ll by no means say no to driving bikes someplace superior!
However I’ll not be posting each day information right here.
So, why am I leaving?
This summer time marked 16 years overlaying the biking trade. And I turned 50 earlier this 12 months.
I used to be 34 after I began Bikerumor and have typically joked that “I didn’t wanna be 50 and writing about bikes.”
Not that there’s something flawed with that, I simply thought I’d be elsewhere. I didn’t know the place (nonetheless don’t), however I like to start out tasks, attempt new issues, and experiment. (NFTs, anybody? How a few sports activities drink?)
The bug to construct one thing new has bitten arduous, and a few of my facet tasks are off to an ideal begin. Comply with me on LinkedIn if you wish to see what I’m as much as.
Thanks, to all of you
Bikerumor wouldn’t be what it’s with out the arduous work and dedication of the crew. I’m proud to have been capable of name them “my” crew, however I’m additionally proud that they’ll be simply wonderful with out me.
Bikerumor was by no means about me, and it makes me joyful that everybody right here has had the chance to get out of it what they wished and luxuriate in simply as many (typically extra!) alternatives as I’ve.
Thanks to Zach, Cory, Jordan, Ron, and Steve for maintaining the pages stuffed currently, and to Kristi, Watts, Jessie-Could, Saris, Nick, Anna, Tim, Marc, Colin, Greg, and the entire different freelancers and Allgear crew who’ve stuffed in through the years.
Additionally, thanks Kristi for trusting me to make one thing of this to help our household and plan so lots of our holidays and household journeys round bike launches, manufacturing facility excursions, and driving!
Thanks to everybody within the trade who let me peek behind the scenes, ask one million questions, and experience your bikes. Thanks for trusting me to inform your story.
And due to all of you for studying, commenting, and sharing.
Sincerely,
Tyler Benedict
Founder, Bikerumor
