What is MTBeer?

A Fiber in the Fabric of the MTB Community

Like some of you, I delivered newspapers as a kid. I rode my bike around the neighborhood, tossing the evening news onto porches and doorsteps. That newspaper was not only a way to keep up on the local goings-on, it was also fiber in the fabric that held the community together. I believe in the importance of community.

We are losing community.

In our mountain biking community, we have recently lost some fibers of our fabric. Dirt Rag is dead. Bike Magazine is gone. Some print media is holding on and some is growing, from what I hear (Mountain Flyer, Cranked, Bikepacking Journal). To do so, though, they’ve gone the way of fewer print editions/year. They had to.

MTBeer is meant to complement those media outlets. What you’ll get here is the same print-quality journalism, but it will arrive several times a month to your email inbox. I’ve sent countless pitches to editors over the years, some of which made it to print in Dirt Rag, Bike, Mountain Flyer, Cranked, others. I am most thankful and grateful for those opportunities. The reality is, though, they cannot print every pitch that is sent.

I’m a writer. I enjoy the process. Here at MTBeer, I can “print” whatever I want. What I guarantee to you is that it’ll be of the highest journalistic quality and integrity. I am a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association. We have principles and standards that we ascribe to as members. For example, we don’t request free trips, and if we do get offered one, we fully disclose it when writing/working with editors. Transparency is paramount.

I want and hope that MTBeer creates new fibers in the fabric that holds together our mountain biking community. We are growing, which is great. With growth comes growing pains. A few examples of our growing pains are the need for newcomers to understand trail etiquette, to know a little of trail advocacy history, and to understand the importance of having a long view. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about us, and the future generations of mountain bikers. Perhaps, MTBeer can be a part of addressing those growing pains.

What’s the beer part? Let’s hang out and have a beer together. In those conversations, we are spinning new fibers into the fabric that will strengthen and hold our community together longer.

Plus, I like beer, but not like Brett Kavanaugh likes beer (wink - did I say that?! - wink).

Cheers, y’all!

James