We are told fewer people read these days. We are told that those who do read, are lured in by bright colors and short, easily-digestible stories that can be consumed like snacks.
This may be true. But we also know that many people want to read good stories--stories that require sitting down, as for a family dinner. We count ourselves among these people and we know that although we're out there, those of us who sit down to read can be difficult to find.
A balance must be struck between making money and finding readers. We can't compete with glossy magazines that print pictures of naked celebrities on their covers. So we compete by being free.
But if you like the magazine enough to buy it, then by all means do so. Your five dollars will cover the cost of postage, folding, sealing, and labeling a year's worth of issues.
We do make money from advertising, but our ads are 1/4 the price charged by glossy magazines. We believe small businesses are vital to reestablishing the bicycle as practical transportation and we want to give them an affordable advertising venue. And we'd like to pay our writers, photographers, and illustrators more than we do.
We can assure you that your five dollar bill will never be used to light a cigar or fill up the gas tank of a fancy Cadillac. We'll just use it to produce a better magazine. So if you value the written word and you like the Practical Pedal, no one will call you a commie for buying it when you don't have to.
And if you don't have or want to use a credit card, you can always send us a check or money order made out to "Hondo Publishing." Mail it to: 701 1/2 14th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715. Make sure to include an address for us to send your subscription to.