New webzine for bikepackers

[MartinFarrent]

I've started a new webzine for bikepackers - well, I call it a 'webzine' and it's not a blog, but I'm not really sure which genre it belongs to.

But take a look and you'll probably get the picture:

http://trails-tours.com  (Trails and Tours)

If you have any suggestions on how to improve it, go the the comments page or jot them down here. I would be very grateful.

[MartinFarrent]

Incidentally, if you're writing a good blog and think it ought to be mentioned - drop me a line.

Martin

[Bedrock]

Looks great!

[MartinFarrent]

Hey, glad you like it... thanks!

I was getting kinda worried by the lack of reaction. Wondering whether people weren't too keen on the site. 

[phil_rad]

Martin,
looks good man! Keep it up. :-)

[MartinFarrent]

Thanks, Phil... I intend to. The site is getting to feel right, now. I had to code some stuff (and I'm not good at that) to achieve some of the desired features.

[benmtb44]

I like it a lot.  I have been looking for something like this to keep me occupied between trips.  Thanks so much for all the hard work that goes into it!

[MartinFarrent]

Hard work sometimes. But fun. I enjoy some of the fiddly bits.

I've done a few things to speed it up over the weekend - especially for folks in the US (the site is hosted in Europe). Should be a lot faster worldwide now, according to various tools I have tested it with.

[MartinFarrent]

I'm thinking of adding a page where people can post links to any live trip reporting they may be doing (blogs, Twitter etc).

Problem is I'm not sure everyone realises what a live trip report means. Like: "My house is empty and unguarded this week."

Opinions, anyone?

[MartinFarrent]

I put the page up and included a word of warning (on telling all the world's burglars that you are away).

So, you can post links to your own trip reports on http://trails-tours.com, now - blog posts, live tweets, threads here... whatever. You can find the respective page in the top menu under Features -> Your trips and tips

At this moment, no one has posted a link yet. So you can be the first. 

I have also added some advanced search functionality to the site. It shows up automatically when (possibly) needed. There are about 80 articles up there now and I'm hoping the 'webzine' will eventually double as a good research resource for bikepackers.

[MartinFarrent]

A milestone of sorts: over 100 articles (103).

I could do with some specific feedback, if anyone has time.

Statistics show a lot of visitors simply flipping back through the pages, but far fewer using the tools in the sidebar to browse the site by topic (countries, routes etc.). Are these options still not visible enough? Or are most people just content to read chronologically?

Thanks,

Martin

[benmtb44]

Putting the catigories right across the top might help.  I have been to the site 5-6 times and didn't notice them until you mentioned them.  Maybe a brief blurb at the top about the site and the author.... and you could put a few words of how to navigate in there?  Feel free to throw a video of mine up there.  This one is my favorite, but there are a few more that I put on Vimeo.

Let me know if you want more info about the trip before posting it.

https://vimeo.com/73835366

[MartinFarrent]

It's actually more than the categories - the drop-down lists let you browse by country, route or type of gear. People seem to notice those even less than the categories. And not all of that will fit across the top... but yes, it probably needs to become more prominent, somehow. Some kind of notice on navigation, as you suggest? I need to think about it. I can issue notification bars from time to time - but they might uglify the site.

Neat video!!! Thanks!

EDIT: A lot of people do click to see the individual posts. I have now changed the layout there a bit to feature the topical browsing functions.

[Norb]

Excellent material, Martin. 
Enjoyed the Annapurna pics and description because I'd like to do that ride someday. 
Also, the Stupid Light caught my attention cause you know us types are always searching for new ways to lighten the kit!
Great stuff and thanks for posting!

[MartinFarrent]

Thanks for liking it and telling me, Norb. Much appreciated.

There's a newsletter option there now, btw. http://trails-tours.com/newsletter

[MartinFarrent]

I've just updated the site to include a section for adventure races. Not much there yet (though more than I expected myself) - but no doubt this category will grow fairly swiftly. I'm more of a recreational rider myself, but race itineraries and good routes go hand in hand. And racing gear is interesting to anyone with a UL slant.

Additionally, as suggested by Ben a while back, there is now a page on navigation options: http://trails-tours.com/using-site/

[MartinFarrent]

I have added new 'specials' on Travel Tips and Trail Skills. You can find them in the top menu under Features. Again, they will grow...

Does anyone happen to know of a good, worldwide adventure race calendar I might link to?

[MartinFarrent]

... added a section for overnighters (see the sidebar). Since they're the backbone of bikepacking (imo), this was a bit overdue.

[blitz-schlag-mann]

Great stuff, thanks.

Regards
Ingmar

[richywales97]

Looks great but needs more articles. I read through all of the site that interested me in 5 minutes + links, as other visitors would. Maybe get a few volunteers from here to submit posts to you?