From the Library: Paved magazine...

A couple, maybe even as long as a few, months ago, while poking around and looking for something to buy at Coates, I spotted a new magazine lying on a counter. I quickly thumbed through the pages and decided it would be worth a purchase. It was the Premier Issue, volume 1, of Paved magazine. I have had a huge backlog of magazines and books to get through, so it has taken until now for me to finally get around to reading.

Paved is edited by Joe Parkin, who you may know as a former professional racer, and author of "Come and Gone" and "A Dog in a Hat". Anyway I guess you could say he knows his way around both bikes and writing. The premier issue is full of spectacular photographs, and stories ranging from a destination review of the Dolomites, an interview of American sprinter Tyler Farrar, a look at the Flanders region and its classic race, drugs in the peloton, interviews with a few of the many "pioneers" of American cycling, etc. But the magazine has much broader appeal than to followers of the sport of cycling. Cyclists interested in touring, for instance, will find much useful information in the story on the Dolomites. Hopefully a "destination" series will be a regular feature of the magazine. The best piece of evidence that the magazine is aiming to gather a broad audience can be seen in the short bike review pages. There is not a single road racing bike featured; instead they feature the Electra Ticino, Swobo Novak, Raleigh Alley Way, Soma Buena Vista Mixte, Salsa Vaya, and one nod to the track/alleycat racing scene, the Tommaso Augusta Digger.

Hopefully Parkin's introductory words will remain a guiding light for future issues: "The real beauty is found when the wax and veneer are removed, the warts and dark underbelly are exposed, and we allow ourselves an understanding of just how tough this wonderful sport really is." Those of us who follow the sport have many choices of standard fare. I would like to see something a little different, edgy. Parkin, in his books has shown that he is up to that task. I will be interested to see if that continues to be carried over into his newest endeavor. One demerit point, I do not see any indication inside the magazine as to its publication frequency - quarterly, annual, or what have you; nor was there any subscription information. I did find the magazine's website, but even on it there is no way to subscribe (except to a newsletter), with commenters voicing the same concern. I can only assume this will be resolved at some point soon? Anyway, the first issue is a keeper, so if you can still find it, check it out.