Touchline launches new cycle mag

Bicycling SA is the first franchise of the magazine outside the US. Touchline has held the right to publish for nearly ten years, but hadn't felt that the cycling market had reached critical mass in South Africa to justify a new title. "However," says publisher Paul Ingpen, "with the growth in popularity of the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, which takes place in March with 40 000 participants, and the 94.7 Highveld cycle race in November, with close on 20 000 participants, there has been an extension of the sport's seasonal appeal and the development of a national interest and reader base for the title."

As part of the launch of the first issue, 38 000 issues will be sent to every entrant in this year's Cape Argus Cycle Tour, 6 000 copies will be distributed among Pedal Power Association members, and 15 000 will be available on newsstands.

From the second issue, the bimonthly title will shift to its own distribution mechanism and circulation base. Ingpen is hoping to reach 10 000 by the end of the first year of operation.