You are here

Road Bike Action Editor Steps Down

Published June 6, 2010

VALENCIA, CA (BRAIN)—Brad Roe has stepped down as editor of Road Bike Action after heading up the consumer publication since its rebirth more than three years ago.

Veteran cycling journalist Zapata Espinoza has been named as the magazine’s new editor. Espinoza most recently worked as features editor for Road Bike Action and Motocross Action. He was editor of Mountain Bike Action in the late 80s and early 90s, and led Mountain Bike at Rodale for several years. He also spent several years as brand manager at Trek.

Roe’s last day at the magazine was last Friday.

“It was just time for me. It’s been three-and-a-half years since we started. The magazine is doing really, really well. Creatively, it just seemed like the right time to move on and leave it in a good place and pursue other things,” Roe said.

Roe started at Hi-Torque Publications as a 19-year-old intern and worked at the company on and off for 21 years, writing for the original Road Bike Action, Mountain Bike Action and Motocross Action. He also oversaw the publisher’s transition into the digital age, coordinating the launch of eight Web sites.

When Hi-Torque decided to bring back Road Bike Action after more than a decade of dormancy, Roe was tapped to head up the project.

“We started with the logo and it’s just been a great experience. The market was pretty crowded with pretty crowded with titles, we were in a recession. It was a tough time to start a magazine, but we did and it’s really exceeded all expectations. We had double digit growth in every aspect advertising, circulation, subscription and continue to do really well,” he said.

Roe also orchestrated the launch of the Road Bike Action’s online brand two years ago at the Tour de France. His goal with both online and print was to combine the technical and race side of the sport with the inspirational side. He credits the brand’s success to contributions from its pool of talented staff like Richard Cunningham, Phil Booth, Chris Henry and Patrick Brady.

Roe said he hopes to stay in the industry and is looking at new opportunities.

“I’m not in a rush, I feel really proud of last three-and-a-half years. If I need to spend this summer with family and looking at great options I’m more than happy to do that,” he said.

—Nicole Formosa

Topics associated with this article: Media/Publishing

Join the Conversation