Cyber Cyclery - the first Nine Crazy Years

The Grand Old Man of cycling web portals has made it through some tough times; enduring cyber squatting, spamming, frustrated communities, parts getting sold off, ghosts, then being brought back from the dead. All the ingredients of a good online soap, and all part of Cyber Cyclery's very colourful history! Read on for the unfolding trail...

Originally started in 1995 as "an information resource for bicycling enthusiasts", Cyber Cyclery continues on today with the same aim for which it was started. Born from one cyclist's love of cycling, Cyber Cyclery provides cyclists and the bicycle industry with a place on the Internet. Three domains belong to Cyber Cyclery; the original cyclery.com, cycling.org which was transferred from the Velonet mailing lists, and cybercyclery.com which was originally created by someone to lure visitors away from the true site.

What's in a Name?

Cyclery ("cycle ry" -pronounced like bakery, with cycle replacing the bake) to my surprise isn't in the dictionary. This is unusual as Google indicates over 119,000 pages on the web with the word "cyclery", most of them relating to bike shops. It appears to have been used for a long time to describe a shop that deals in bicycles. With "Cyber" relating to computer networks, "Cyber Cyclery" is the online place that deals with bicycle information.

Trouble at the List Server

The domain name cycling.org originally belonged to VeloNet started in 1994. This was a mailing list server set up as a gathering place for cyclists in cyberspace. Cyclists all over the 'net flocked to use it. By late 1995, however, troubles were brewing. The lawyers at VeloNews (the publication) had twice threatened to take VeloNet to court over the use of the word "Velo" in VeloNet, claiming that they have exclusive rights to use that term. The straw that broke the camel's back came in early 1996, when a spate of spams were sent to the over 200 mailing lists. This literally shut down the server for a while. In 1996, the domain cycling.org was 'deeded' to Cyber Cyclery for better on-going management of the server and to keep all of the mailing lists operational.

Because of the commercial nature of Cyber Cyclery, the mailing lists were no longer 'free'. Instead, Cyber Cyclery asked for a 'voluntary' donation from subscribers. Things were relatively tranquil through much of 1997-1999. An attempt was made to make the lists pay for themselves through appeals for donations, footer ads, and various other attempts to get monetary support. All had little effect and understandably the mailing lists became a liability.

In December 1999, Cyber Cyclery 'partnered' with Topica (topica.com) to provide 'free' mailing list services, essentially selling off the collection of mailing lists to Topica. Much hue and cry ensued about the abruptness of the transfer. Looking back, it can only be said that Topica did not partner well with Cyber Cyclery. It has proven to be very difficult in dealing with Topica to the point where they are no longer linked from Cyber Cyclery. Understandably, a lot of list managers decided to part company with the remnants of VeloNet and struck out on their own. Lists are now spread far and wide across the Internet making it difficult to find the information you desire. Cyber Cyclery still has the list archives (more on this later) and comprehensive directory listings of e-mail lists, along with cycling groups world wide, helping to keep the information in one place.

Pouncing on the Copycats

It is said "copying is the greatest flattery" and this is always a problem as a site becomes more popular. In 1999 a company registered cybercyclery.com to take advantage of the traffic to Cyber Cyclery, for it's own commercial benefit. Legal proceedings were undertaken due to trademark violation and an agreement made for Cyber Cyclery to take over the domain. There have also been instances where copycat sites, some direct copies of all the content, have required legal action to protect the site's status.

Ghosts in the Closet, wasn't Cyber Cyclery Dead?

Due to the technology used to manage the original site, increased traffic and reduced income from the site, Cyber Cyclery could not be maintained due to a lack of time and resources. With no one willing to take it over, Cyber Cyclery was closed in February 2001 with the following message posted on the site

"Unfortunately, after more than 6 years in operation, Cyber Cyclery closed in February 2001."

According to GhostSites Cyber Cyclery was now officially dead!

In 2001, Steve discovered Cyber Cyclery via the mailing archives while searching for information on bicycle tyres. Very surprised to find the site shut down, Steve emailed to find out why a successful site operating for six years was now closed. Seeing that the problem was due to a lack of time and not due to lack of popularity, Steve and Rich began to talk about what they could do to help the site using their backgrounds of technology and web development. It wasn't long before they had a few ideas and decided to take on the running of the site themselves.

Steve and Rich took over Cyber Cyclery to prevent the loss of such a great resource. The site floundered the first twelve months as they tried to do things in their spare time. Realising the site would require a full-time commitment, a plan was put together of all work required to ensure a successful future for Cyber Cyclery.

Cyber Cyclery Today

The initial redevelopment phase has now been completed, providing a fast and efficient site with powerful search facilities. The new site design also means less time is required for day-to-day management. This allows time to be better spent with continued development and site improvements, providing you with a better experience and cycling resource in the longer term. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and play an important role in the continued development of Cyber Cyclery.

The site and Directories home pages have been improved, providing an ever-changing sample of the latest cycling tours, products, and information on offer. The Shop area home page has also been revamped, making it easier for visitors to find the latest deals offered by our sponsors.

You can now create and manage your own cycling related information. Login and manage all your cycling stuff including: tours/events, product/bike shop/group directory listings, promoting your products/services through advertising, plus much more. All this can be done without having to make contact with Cyber Cyclery. Just join, login and create!

The archives have now been relocated back to cycling.org with many of the original lists now being archived as they once were. Search the largest archive of cycling related mailing lists with a new and improved search/browse facility. If you would like to have your list archived, send a request.

Future Route of Cyber Cyclery?

With the continual flow of suggestions from visitors and the Cyber Cyclery team, there is no shortage of ideas to further develop Cyber Cyclery into your best cycling site on the Internet. Some of the suggestions to be released soon, include:

Submit new cycling information for publication without the need to become a member.
Submit updated information for existing directories listings without the need to become a member.
Improved browse facility allowing you to "drill down" to find the cycling information you want, fast.

Mailing lists, new and old, continue to be added to the new archive system as requests are received. If the archives are able to support themselves through advertising and there is a demand, Cyber Cyclery may start running mailing lists again. If Cyber Cyclery does take this step, it will not be taken lightly as they want to be confident that a high level of service can be delivered. Send an email if you are interested in running your mailing list on cycling.org

The touring and event calendar continues to be popular with visitors searching for bicycle tours and cycling related events of interest. Additional features have been added specifically for tour operators, adding distance, fitness, surface type and price to the search options. These improvements continue as the calendar grows into the largest and most useful in cycling.

That is the story of Cyber Cyclery so far. From humble beginnings and turbulent early years, Cyber Cyclery looks set to have a long and stable future ahead.

Want to Learn More?

Check out the Velo Vision story in the spotlight, then take a few minutes to explore Cyber Cyclery.

Would you like to add your event, tour, directories listing, or maybe put yourself in the spotlight? Join for free and start adding your information in minutes.

Do you have a question? Send a message if you would like more information about the site, how to add your information, or how to promote your own business with Cyber Cyclery.

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