meandmybicycle.co.uk

beneboy
beneboy Posts: 3
edited November 2007 in The Crudcatcher
Hi,

I just wanted to let you know about a new social network for cyclists that I have set up called meandmybicycle.co.uk. Have a look and let me know what you think!

Thanks,

Ben Ayers, founder, meandmybicycle.co.uk

Comments

  • Dodgex1
    Dodgex1 Posts: 1,306
    Nice idea but you're up against people like adrenaline hub and now its been updated pinkbike plus it's done through a thirdparty site, people might not want to sign upto ning. If you want to do something like this and are limited at web design you'd be better looking at CMS, you get more options and it's all your own then. It is a good idea though and you do have content which is more than alot of people bother with. Also in my opinion never call a website beta because websites should always be in development :). Keep up the good work.
    "This is ******!, We can't ride out bikes in the dirt like this!"
  • beneboy
    beneboy Posts: 3
    Hi there, thanks for the feedback. I am not too worried about Adrenaline Hub as it is quite a general social net platform but Pinkbike is a great site. There's no reason why people who are part of that community wouldn't want to share their cool videos and pictures etc with others though (or maybe I am too optimistic!). The great thing about Ning is that it's going to be part of Google's Open Social. That will mean I can add some pretty cool stuff that sites like Pinkbike can't. The aim is to flee the Ning nest at the end of the first quarter of 2008 though could end up being the summer. Also, re meandmybicycle, it's supposed to cover all areas of cycling including some of the more niches areas. With the relaunch will come better sub sections, classifieds, dating and so on. See your point on the whole beta thing!

    Thanks for the encouraging words...maybe see you on there!
  • chrisjsmith
    chrisjsmith Posts: 280
    Good luck. It could work well! When it's working well, sell it quick!

    Are you looking to build a genine community or a cash booster? If it's the latter, forget it!

    Try and keep it AWAY from things like Google / MySpace / Facebook etc as these sites are inevitably going to collapse one day (I was one of the victims of the late 90's .com crash). Don't put all your eggs into one basket as they say!
  • beneboy
    beneboy Posts: 3
    No I am not in it for the money! I want to create a good community. I do want to do it my way though which is why I hope to go it alone with some angel funding next year. If I don't get the cash I won't put much of my own savings into it. I don't have an exit plan...what's the point in going into something with that view? The most successful niche social nets will be the ones which are done for the love of. So far I have spent £60 on mine - and that was for logo design and some Ning features. If it builds well then obviously there will be potential but I am more interested in strategic partnerships that will result in more poeple cycling....thanks for the encouraging words. As for a .com bubble burst mark II, not sure you are right about that. Things are a bit different this time around - but there will be winners and losers of course. Facebook is a bit overpriced, that much is true! But it's the biggest and best in show at the moment...give two years and that won't be the case I am sure. Having said all that I do think that things like Open Social which will allow freedom across networks will be a winner...anything that gets away from a 'closed shop' will be a result. After all, that's why the internet works best - when it's functional and a bit distruptive.

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