Bike Zine

^ I have a few copies of Boneshaker. Got a mate in Bristol who sends it up. Happy to bring it to a thursday food ride, or even Beers.

@Perks - i like your style :)

I'd very much like to write something for a zine and a book about birmingham cycling, but i need more of a brief than that to work on. Any ideas on subjects/themes and length?

^^^^^^^^1991-grunge-esque?!

anyway mothergirl, happy to help with what I can.

I say BOOOO to the whole 1991-grunge/surly-esque photocopied zine look.

I think your getting at the same think Fin, this souldnt be a "zine" for the sake of creating all of the dull cliche's. Lets put together a jolly good little book. With mothafuckenfullcolourpictures!

^ This is a dull cliché.

Most 'zines' these days are beautiful mini books. I was joking about the crayons...

Just to chip in, Thomas and I have a pretty comprehensive idea for a zine/book.
It's going to cover many aspects for bhm bike culture and will be a combination for prose and photos.
I love zines but i think they are often limited by their scattergun execution. We wanted something more cohesive yet holistic.

Zine is just a covering word for it at the end of the day. Fin, you of all people know I've wanted to do this for a long time and do it properly but if you want to be pedantic then we can keep them separate.

I have pulled my thumb out of my bottom and am doing a piece on how an utter petrolhead ends up with no car and a garage full of old bicycles?!

^ This is a dull cliché.

Most 'zines' these days are beautiful mini books. I was joking about the crayons...

Yup one of them mini books sounds like the ticket.

^^^^^^^^1991-grunge-esque?!

.

You know, cutouts, letraset, graffiti scrawl, bad photocopy+staples, blackfill pages etc...

Zine is just a covering word for it at the end of the day. Fin, you of all people know I've wanted to do this for a long time and do it properly but if you want to be pedantic then we can keep them separate.

Not being pedantic, just saying that i've been planning and contacting people for a birmingham/west mids cycle mini book for a while.
It's going to have sections/chapters with themes:-

Urban; commuters, fixed gear, CM, Polo, Couriers, etc.
Road and track; Club rides and riders, CTC, Halesowen etc.
Off road; trails, cannock, canals etc.
Industry; Brooks, Reynolds, BSA, Perks, Lee Cooper, Pashley, Local bike shops etc,

All sections would contain a mixture of portraits, 'street photography' and landscapes in addition to the prose.
Each section is going to contain a little standalone vignette too. Like; 'the best way to fit a tubular' (stu, i'm looking at you), 'how to avoid a pinch flat on the trails' etc.
I was even thinking of expanding it to an online audio slideshow.

I know all this just don't shit on zines/what I do dude!

Right, I'd like to get on this straightaway instead of just chatting about it for ages like we normally do... for the next two months I've got 24hr access (ie it's in my house) to the goddess that is the Risograph, I've got a stack of beautiful high gsm paper and my new job involves publishing art books in Birmingham. So I wanna take advantage of this! I'll be at food ride tomorrow for chats, polo this Sunday and next and maybe Birmingham Beers should be the last day for exchanging ideas and then we can start throwing around very rough draft layouts, etc?

Good idea MG. Beers is 25th - does that work for you?

gahhh, facepalm. Just realised I'm working for Flatpack that night, will see if I can swap with the other co-ordinator.

I think we should definetely get a piece on the BMX racing. There is an international standard track at perry park now. Euro champs will be held there in june.

There are also rumours that 2012 olympic BMX racing will be held indoors at the NIA Birmingham.

Worth checking out http://www.boneshakermag.com/faqs/

Never heard of that. Looks really nicely done though.. How come nowhere in Birmingham stocks it?!

There are also rumours that 2012 olympic BMX racing will be held indoors at the NIA Birmingham.

??????? So they'll bulldoze the Velopark then? i don't think so.

??????? So they'll bulldoze the Velopark then? i don't think so.

I think I might be getting mixed up, or it might just be well out of date information because I think I heard it years ago!

But the 2012 WORLD's ! are happening here.

UCI President, Pat McQuaid, commented: “We are delighted that the UCI BMX World Championships 2012 has been awarded to Birmingham. Great Britain is one of the leaders in this young spectacular discipline and we are sure that this event, staged in the heart of UK’s largest city, will build on this trend. I am confident that, with the expertise and the enthusiasm of British Cycling and all other partners involved in this great project, we will offer a fantastic edition of the Championships to the worldwide BMX community. With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place just several months later, the Championships will be held in a truly magic atmosphere Well done all and thank you Birmingham!”

Ha ha - 'young spectacular discipline'! Couldn't really think of two less apt adjectives...

There's also a second track planned for S. Birmingham too.

Okay, we had a really productive meeting this evening before the Food Ride. I took some minutes, not very good ones (sorry I was really tired/nervous and chatting nonsense). Firstly we ascertained what we wish to achieve, what our 'identity' is and the main bulk of content that we want to cover. We then discussed distribution, funds, donation and promotion. Sounds obvious and basic but it's important everyone involved is working from the same page (ha) and is happy with what our aims are. It was unanimously decided that the forum is not the place to discuss this; it gets too wordy, people poach ideas and we'll get trolled to death so I'l set up a mailing list and if you wish to be added just pm your email and I will forward the more detailed minutes to everyone.

We'll then decide the next meeting and start to weigh up strengths/skills/what we're lacking. It sounds like it's moving slow but trust me the beginning is always the hardest...once the ball is rolling, everyone can get on with their bit! We will have a team of co-editors (those wishing to help with design, layout and general admin) and then of course contributors. You can be either, both or neither.

Last thing I promise. Although I initiated this, in no way is it my project. This is 100% a joint product of West Midlands riders. There will be a different mediator and minute-taker at each meeting (there is an official project book to fill with ideas)...we sound way more organised than we are right now. Takes off mediator/minute-taker hat. Thankyou for everyone supporting this project! This thread is dead to me, pm please.

PM'ed.
Oh hang on, you won't see this.....

Dan, you're dead to me...
Nice one.

Everytime I go to send the minutes, someone else PMs. Hurry TFU!

what are you still doing here?
;)

Minutes sent. Get off this thread, read them and add your 2p. Please.

Agenda for next meeting sent. As above.