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The Disappearing Bike Blogs

10.09.2013 by Ray Niekamp // 10 Comments

I’m guessing that most readers of Bike Noob make a stop here along with several other bike blogs. I know I have about a dozen I check out on a regular basis. But one thing I’ve noticed lately is that some of the blogs I’ve been visiting have disappeared.

In some cases, the blogger notes that he or she is ending the blog. The reasons are similar: the blogger has run out of new things to write about, the enjoyment of blogging has faded, or maybe the interest is no longer there.

In other cases, the blog is simply abandoned. After a lapse of months, it’s apparent there will be no more posts on the blog. Reluctantly, I delete it from my blogroll or my RSS feed. I’ll try to find another to take its place. One thing about bike blogs — there are plenty around.

The challenge for bloggers is to come up with topics to write about. I once read that everything about biking has already been written. It’s quite easy to find out basic information about biking. Books, back magazines, online searches. The more successful blogs are able to mine a narrow topic area. They might stick with descriptions of rides, for example, or a particular style of bike. The best ones have developed their own personality over time — a personality that clicks with readers and keeps them coming back. The ones that don’t have a focus are the ones that fold eventually.

I can understand the problem. Writer’s block is something I’ve always had to deal with. I keep a file of post ideas, but often run through them quickly, and have to start over again.

Bike Noob isn’t going away any time soon, even though I seem to be in one of my periodic low productivity cycles. But readers here gravitate to posts about basic equipment, rides, or improving riding ability. In the meantime, I’ll do my best to come up with topics to write about, and always be learning something new.

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Comments

  1. Jeff A says

    October 10, 2013 at 5:33 am

    Ray,
    I found you several years ago when I was looking for reviews on saddles. You [and your readers] have been informative on a lot of issues and topics, and I enjoy reading about riders from other parts of the country. And your blog has personality that has kept me coming back. It has been a good ride, and I always look forward to more. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      October 10, 2013 at 7:43 am

      Thanks. As I say, I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll keep trying to produce stuff that merits your attention.

      Reply
  2. Dana says

    October 10, 2013 at 7:27 am

    I enjoy your blog because you’re a regular guy who writes about the regular issues we all deal with. It’s something I can relate to. Thanks for taking the time to write all this stuff down.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      October 10, 2013 at 7:44 am

      Lots of folks think I’m an irregular guy. Thanks for your support.

      Reply
  3. Ramon Hermida says

    October 14, 2013 at 8:07 am

    Keep doing what you are doing … I have learned a ton from the blog and enjoy your company on those rare ocassions when we have lunch 🙂

    Reply
  4. aaronwest says

    October 19, 2013 at 6:29 am

    I’ve noticed the same with a number of blogs that I regularly read. Most are hobbyist blogs, and probably people just move on for the reasons you gave above.

    You are probably right that most everything about cycling has been written, but I’ve found that things change quickly in this sport. I write more about my own experiences, but I think there are plenty of general interest topics left to mine. You do a good job at writing about topics through the eyes of the ‘Noob’ (even though you certainly no longer fit the description), and I think that’s a rare and appreciated perspective. I’m glad to hear you aren’t going anywhere.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      October 19, 2013 at 3:42 pm

      Aaron, You keep writing about climbing (hope you’re able to resume you own climbing soon) and I’ll keep writing about noobishness.

      Reply
  5. curtis corlew says

    October 21, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Well, I surely hope I’m on your list. I’ve been at it since 2007. I do know what you mean about writing. As I’ve ridden the bar seems to go up about what’s “blogable.” A thirty mile ride is no longer as epic as it once was. Maybe I’ve hit bottom. I wrote about valve stems a couple of weeks ago. http://ccorlew.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      October 21, 2013 at 10:00 pm

      Curtis, you’ve been on my RSS feed since you sent me a “50 Plus” jersey in ’08.

      Reply

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