The debut issue of Canadian Cycling Magazine hits newsstands this month, following its launch at the Toronto International Bicycle Show last week. “Our objective is to create a magazine for people who are interested in cycling as a sport,” says Publisher Sam Cohen. He says Canadian magazine racks are full of U.S. “spillover” cycling magazines and lack the presence of a strong Canadian title. This magazine will fill that void, he says.

Launch issue of Canadian Cycling Magazine

With the launch, Toronto-based publisher Gripped Inc. increases its number of titles to four, which include Gripped: The Climbing Magazine, Canadian Running and Triathlon Magazine Canada.

The first issue has a distribution of about 25,000. About 16,000 went to newsstands and bike retailers across the country. The remaining copies were sent free to subscribers of Triathlon Magazine with a subscription solicitation. They plan to build a paid circulation of about 30,000 primarily through retail promotions.

The 80-page, full-colour, bimonthly magazine has a $4.95 cover price and a one-year subscription price of $20.95. The first issue is about 25 percent advertising and Cohen says they plan to increase that number. They almost exclusively rely on ads from the cycling industry.

Each issue will have two or three feature stories along with news, product reviews and service pieces about training and bike repair. The magazine’s website will have unique content such as news, blogs, and video. Only some of the material printed in the magazine will be given away for free online, and a digital edition is in the works.

For more information: Canadian Cycling Magazine