Thinking About Linking
A semi-apologetic note from Fatty: Today I actually intended to write a fake news piece that’s been bumping around in my head. But then I got a slow start this morning (i.e., I stumbled around in a blank fog, taking forever to get to the point of being able to recognize the alphabet, much less write),  my lunch hour evaporated (i.e., I worked through it), and now the end of the day is here.
And the thing is, tomorrow I’ll be heading out on a nice two-day mountain bike ride with my friends — we’re off to Gooseberry Mesa!
My point is that I didn’t have much time to write today.
Still, I have a question about the what, how, and whether of links in my blog, and since you’re the ones who would actually be using this list o’ links, I’d like your input.
When I moved my blog over from MSN Spaces to my own website, it was with grand plans of doing all kinds of new things. You know, a forum (did that), selling a jersey (doing that), partnering with cool companies that are doing interesting stuff and are willing to give it away to my readers (doing that in a big way), and creating an area for reader-contributed biking stories (working on that, stay tuned).
Along the way, I’ve roughly doubled my readership, comments are through the roof, and my Google ads are very nearly about to start covering my Web hosting costs.
In other words, things are mostly going great. Yay!
In doing all this fanciness, though, I’ve neglected one of the most basic things a good blog has: a list of links to other blogs and sites I like.
That’s lame of me.
People to Link To
There are some sites / blogs that I obviously need to link to:
But that’s not the whole list, obviously. I’m obviously missing some good stuff.
So who else should I link to?
Turnabout is Fair Play
One way it seems I could/should be linking to other folks is by checking who’s linking to me. If you’ve got a blog and link to me, there’s a better chance I’ll link back than if you email me asking me to link to your super-cool blog, which — naturally — does not link to me.
Oh, by the way. If you think you’ve got a link to me, but actually have a link to my old MSN Spaces site, do me a favor and update your link, OK? Â
Wherein I Consider the Cosmic Relevance of Blogs and Links
Which is more useful?
- A big ol’ long list of links
- A very short list of links with my very, very, very favorite places to visit
- A big ol long list of links, of which a random selection of ten (or 5? or whatever?) is shown at any given moment, so as not to overwhelm you.
- No links at all
I should have good stories to tell (and some pics and video) this Monday. Have a good weekend!
PS: Today’s weight: 166.2
Comment by UltraRob | 02.8.2007 | 5:07 pm
Oh, I see I’m not on the obvious list even though I was linked on your old blog. I even updated the link from my blog to your new blog. Now it’s on my new location and my old dying one. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t comprehend your post about turning purple if you WIN the Bloggies. Hey at least I encouraged people to vote for you. I guess I need to stick to riding my bike instead of trying to blog :(
Comment by Graham | 02.8.2007 | 5:41 pm
Since I made the shortlist, I’ll be selfish and say…. ;-)
Actually, it’s definitely a tough question. I struggle with it myself as my blogroll has become unwieldy. I am considering a compromise approach by putting a top ten on the home page and adding a new page with a more comprehensive set of links…probably categorized in some way. Haven’t worked out all of the details though.
(oh, and thank you, by the way)
Comment by Chris Plesko | 02.8.2007 | 6:15 pm
You should link me because I read every new post you make and I link you from my hugely popular (okay I’m lying now) blog.
But most importantly we rode up Columbine Mine together last year at Leadville :)
Chris
Comment by Born4Lycra | 02.8.2007 | 6:29 pm
I like the “A big ol long list of links, of which a random selection of ten (or 5? or whatever?) is shown at any given moment, so as not to overwhelm you” that way you can faithfully link to those that faithfully link to you and i have a short list to peruse that i may choose to hit as the mood takes me. Give me a big long list I am not very likely to read it and even less likely to follow a link.
Recently following your recommendation I have been following Up in Alaska and also voted for Jill – frequently – that lady is quite remarkable.
Comment by Uncadan8 | 02.8.2007 | 6:40 pm
I like the random selection idea. It makes the list seem fresh and oh so exciting.
By the way, I link to your blog.
Comment by KatieA | 02.8.2007 | 6:46 pm
Why not do links based on what people actually write about?
Or am I the only blog not totally dedicated to cycling? :)
Comment by fatty | 02.8.2007 | 7:15 pm
ultrarob, i don’t know what you’re talking about. i not only linked to you, i linked ESPECIALLY to you.
koff koff
Comment by UltraRob | 02.8.2007 | 9:17 pm
Fatty, of course I was just giving you a hard time. Another blog that I really like is Biking Bis. He writes a lot of general cycling news with a bit of a touring slant. Another good one if you’re into following Landis is Trust but Verify. I think having an A list that always shown and then some other links that rotate. There should be a link to a page that shows all of the ones that rotate so somebody can find the link if it’s not currently shown.
Comment by UltraRob | 02.8.2007 | 9:19 pm
Hmm the url got stripped out of Trust but Verify.
Comment by BIg Mike In Oz | 02.8.2007 | 10:05 pm
Wow, as I was reading the second paragraph I noticed another thing we have in common. I also only have 2 friends and their names are Mesa and Gooseberry. I wonder it’s the same 2 guys. Spooky.
Comment by BIg Mike In Oz | 02.8.2007 | 10:14 pm
On a more serious note, does having a link to you for over 15 months put me in a stronger position or do I still have to churn out quality material 47 times a week to make the grade?
Comment by fatty | 02.8.2007 | 10:20 pm
big mike – you’re in for sure.
Comment by Caloi-Rider | 02.8.2007 | 10:24 pm
Aw heck, Fatty, I’m not terribly concerned about not making the A list. It might help if I actually wrote something occasionally, eh? S’pose I’d better work on that.
Comment by Weean | 02.9.2007 | 12:33 am
I’m with UltraRob- the A-list/(rotating) B-list idea works for me. As I’m far too busy (lazy) to have a blog, I feel that I’m an impartial observer. But how do you decide who makes the cut-offs? There’s already seven links up there.
Of course you could fine-tune this by having an A-list (permanent), B-list (heavy rotation) AND C-list (less-frequent rotation). Pretty soon you’ll be spending so much time working out the exact amount of time each link should spend visible that you’ll have no time left for blogging, or even worse cycling. This would be a very bad thing. Just follow your heart, Fatty.
Comment by Fat Lad | 02.9.2007 | 1:12 am
Being a *ahem* chunky rider myself… I shamelessly beg for a link back too ;)
Comment by Argentius | 02.9.2007 | 1:56 am
I didn’t make the a-list, and probably shouldn’t.
But, I do update my weblog pretty regularly, have linked to fatty since I found you, and some people even say some of my pointless rambling is funny!
Sparse on the photos, though, I am. I gotta fix that.
Comment by theLurker | 02.9.2007 | 2:10 am
Ermm what about http://www.cyclingnews.com ?
Comment by Born4Lycra | 02.9.2007 | 4:04 am
This is sad but true I’ve just discovered that Clydesdale is actually an MTB racing category for over 200 pounders. You know there is always one person who looks like they got the joke but it only really sinks in about half an hour later. Well it’s me but it has taken the best part of a week. Fatty using the Clydesdale is a great idea. Sorry it took me so long.
Comment by BIg Mike In Oz | 02.9.2007 | 4:14 am
You could always go for a giant all encompassing list tucked away down below the advertising with another list of favourites or rotating list in a slightly more prominent place.
Personally, if I owned this space… it would have failed by now, so at all times take me with a grain of salt and if symptoms persist see your doctor.
Comment by mytzpyk | 02.9.2007 | 6:16 am
I think you should use the names of a few static blogs but make the underlying links change to random blogs. Much like you appear to have done with the MinusCar link in this post.
:-0
Comment by mytzpyk | 02.9.2007 | 6:17 am
Honestly though, I do appreciate even being on this list.
Comment by Not So Skinny Cathy | 02.9.2007 | 6:53 am
I think you should have a short static ‘A’ list of your very favs and another section of rotating ‘B’ list links.
Comment by SyracuseStu | 02.9.2007 | 9:19 am
I prefer a big ole list of links…but then have those catagorized in some manner. I like the way Oil is for Sissies does it.
Comment by Adam Lisonbee | 02.9.2007 | 9:34 am
I have a link to you on my site. it’s been there for over a year. :D
Plus, I am local. That should count for something right?
Comment by Adam Lisonbee | 02.9.2007 | 9:41 am
I made a typo in my own web address in the above comment :P
http://epicriding.blogspot.com is the correct site.
Comment by rexinsea | 02.9.2007 | 9:45 am
I like the A list with a rotating “newcomers B list” idea so long as the rotating list is not too hard for you to manage. I’d rather you spend your time away from work/family writing witty blog entrees and riding your beloved bikes.
It would be great if you could make the A list like book store/video store recommendations from employees. “Fatty likes this blog because it improves my life in this way” type of recommendations. Personally, I don’t take tons of time to surf for blogs but if I saw a list from a blogger I find interesting (like you Fatty) then I may be inspired to check out those blogs as well. You could work to create a little blogging community. Have fun riding this weekend!
Comment by jill | 02.9.2007 | 10:18 am
Wow … thanks for the link! And I’m not even enrolled in the B7 challenge. But I have a Fat Cyclist jersey coming my way. It took a month’s worth of milk money, but it’s worth every penny. I can’t wait to see what it looks like atop six polar fleece layers. Oh wait … I may have accidentally ordered a small.
Have fun at Gooseberry Mesa. I am shaking with jealously right now. Gooseberry was were I sustained my first full-leg raspberry, back in 2001. Good times.
Comment by BIKEMIKE | 02.9.2007 | 12:26 pm
Speaking of links, this reminds me of sausage links which makes me think of those little Jimmy Dean Sausage microwave biscuit thingys, which i know aren’t good for you but taste good. So, maybe a link to Jimmy Dean? Oh wait, everybody is now watching their weight and can’t be bothered with this nonsense. Nevermind.
Comment by Phil | 02.9.2007 | 12:47 pm
One that I have found very interesting is a guy cycling from DC to Brazil (currently in Mexico):
http://biketobrazil.blogspot.com/index.html
Comment by James | 02.9.2007 | 2:11 pm
I like the short, random selection idea. People are more likely to actually look at your links if they are constantly changing. The fact that it leaves room for other content is just a bonus. I would do that on my blog if I only knew how.
By the way, I link to you.
Comment by greg | 02.10.2007 | 2:56 pm
Oh come on now. Let’s not forget about the friends you left out in the cold. You must like to the Random Reviewer
Comment by Neil Brennen | 02.11.2007 | 7:21 pm
I link to your site, and I’ve mentioned the B7 contest several times. I’m certainly fat enough. :-)
Comment by sometime reader | 02.15.2007 | 5:23 pm
I don’t have a blog. But there are two cycling blogs that I love to read – yours and this one, which I think it would be great for you to link to. (sheesh my grammar sucks today):
http://ridemyhandlebars.blogspot.com/
It’s a commuter cycling blog from Portland. It’s a hoot.
Comment by nollij | 02.21.2007 | 3:02 pm
Dude, I link to your blog as well. I think I have more comments on your blog in the last 24 hours (about when I started reading it entry by entry instead of skipping around) than I do on anyone’s (in a 24 hr period) I also just bought one of your super sweet jersey’s; can’t wait to see them in person! I’m not QUITE a Clydesdale (187), but I was until just recently. My own B7 attempt (I was unaware you were doing it until last night) was due to LFOAB and also my own new years resolutions. So far I’ve only lost 10lbs, but I’m getting there.