Tri-ing to be the best....and they succeed!
Written: Oct 10 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Packed with info, reviews & advice, professional, topical, a great monthly motivator
Cons: Based in the UK, expensive subscription rates
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| cymsteve's Full Review: 220 Magazine |
220 is a UK magazine which covers the triathlon and multi-sport scene around the world. Although there is an obvious bias towards races, events and athletes from Britain, it also covers the sport on a global level very well.
Tha magazine is packed with information month after month and includes the following regular columns:
CHOP SUEY: The latest tri news from the UK and beyond - several pages of small 'newsy' articles, quotes, book launches, equipment info and more.
AROUND THE WORLD: Here you can catch up on all the global action - several races are featured from around the world with a small race report and top 5 results for men and women.
JULES: A full page topical article by Julian Jenkinson, who is the current UK Ironman Champion and record holder (8.15.21). Quite comical to read usually....
CLUB CLASS: Another full page article which focuses on a different UK tri club every month.
GARDENER'S WORLD: BCF and BTA Bike Mechanic Colin Gardener writes an excellent article on bike maintenance covering a different part of the bike every month. It is well illustrated and shows step by step instructions - useful for the pro and easy to follow for the novice.
Q&A: Yep, you've guessed it.....a question and answer section. Readers can write in on any topic and get an answer from the resident tri coach Joe Beer - there's always something useful to be learned on this page.
BOOK EXTRAVAGANZA: A double page spread covering many of the triathlon / multi-sport publications on the market, with a useful small review of each one.
RESULTS: A comprehensive events round up which covers many races in good detail. If you make the top 10 in your age group, you'll usually get your name in print!
WHERE TO GO: A full section on all the upcoming races around the country. There's also a worldwide guide for the jet-setting triathlete.
KEN'S KORNER: Each month Ken catches up with a different star from the sport and details his interview for all to read.
WHO TO SEE: A collection of advertisements from all manner of companies - lawyers, travel firms, coaches, race directors and many sports stores - useful to browse through and pick up a bargain.
There's also special monthly features such as the following from the May 2000 issue:
SPENCER SMITH: An article on the British triathlete / pro cyclist detailing his fight against drug taking allegations.
UNZIPPED: Everything you need to know about choosing, buying and maintaining a wetsuit and why you may need one.
OLYMPIC CONTENDERS: A complete guide to all the athletes who have a chance (and also some who have no chance!) of winning gold at Sydney in triathlon's first ever appearance at the Olympics.
CAMP IT UP: A nice guide to warm weather training camps where UK triathletes can get some much needed sunshine and also work on their swim, bike and running skills.
Finally there's several comprehensive training articles dotted around the magazine:
COACHING CORNER: Covers a different aspect of training every month - this months was core conditioning.
REACHING YOUR PEAK: Everything you need to reach your physical and mental high!
BEGINNER'S PAGE: This is an ongoing article which gives beginners everything they need to train for and complete their first tri.
220 is an excellent read and will keep you flicking through the pages for many days. It is also a great reference that you can use month after month. Not only is it packed with information but there are always great adverts / flyers from the best sports companies out there, all tempting you to part with your well earned $$$. It is very professional in layout and is aimed at everyone in the sport, from complete novices wanting to get into the sport to the hardened Ironman.
As a bonus, 220 doubles as an adventure sport magazine. The triathlon part of the mag covers about 80% of the pages, but if you turn it over and start reading from the back, you have a separate publication called 220 Xtreme - a bit too extreme for my sporting talent but great if you are an avid climber, kayaker, walker or mountain biker.
AVAILABILITY: Being a UK magazine I have only seen it a couple of times in the USA - once at Barnes & Noble and once at Dulles Airport. Subscription is available worldwide at 59 UK Pounds (about $90) and they also have a website that can be viewed here www.220magazine.com (this website wasn't looking great last time I visited.). Luckily I have family in the UK and they mail me a copy every month without fail!
I would have to say that overall I prefer 220 to 'Triathlete' magazine - it just has much more information in it on a regular basis. I do look forward to my monthly copy of Triathlete, but always seem to get through it very quickly and am left scratching through the pages looking for something I might have missed - 220 keeps me occupied for ages and I find I use it more as a reference in the future.
Keep up the good work!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cymsteve
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Member: Steve Speirs
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 6 members
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