As The Accidental Randonneur grows, I find that these questions have to be asked. It’s a long and potentially boring read, but I feel it is very important I address these. Feel free to read on.
ARE YOU BIASED?
Sure I am. I’m biased towards things I like and things that work. If there’s something I come across that I don’t like and doesn’t work, I will say so and why. It’s that simple.
WHAT IS YOUR AGENDA AND WHERE DO YOUR INTERESTS LIE?
I am primarily interested in anything that will help push the adoption of cycling as a fitness activity, a sport, and a mode of transportation. If it can help you and me spend more saddle time, or make said saddle time more effective, or find less excuses not to ride, I’m going to be at least a little interested.
I am NOT interested in fame, or notoriety, or politics, or turf wars. None of those fit my objectives. I aim to operate in as independent, as unknown, and as anonymous a fashion as possible.
WHY ARE THE THINGS YOU REVIEW AND TEST SO PRICEY?
While cycling is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all budgets, the reality is that improving the status quo of our hobby and sport (which is one of the thrusts of The Accidental Randonneur) by either invention, innovation, or evolution, costs money.
On the flip side, I am aware of my position as one with potential for influence, which is why I temper and ground my perspective as best as I can. This is why, for example, I still prefer Shimano’s Tiagra and 105 groupsets over Ultegra or Dura-Ace.
So far, I believe The Accidental Randonneur has toed the line between the two extremes of frugality and avant-garde technology as well as it could.
ARE YOU A PAID SHILL?
I am independent. My opinions are 100% my own.
Regarding the products I review: apart from the odd review sample sent to me once in a blue moon, almost everything I review is either paid for out of my own pocket, or borrowed from friends or acquaintances.
Occasionally I come across requests from certain retailers or manufacturers to help raise awareness, in the form of press releases and media kits. This is normal in journalism circles. If you’re one of those people, and you’d like me to drum up interest in your stuff, and you’ve got a press kit or media kit I can use, hit me up on accidentalrandonneur@gmail.com and we can talk it out. No money has changed hands in this manner though, and you bet no money will ever do so. Hence, no money will influence my opinions.
Spoil me at your own risk; I will always tell it as it is. No amount of spoiling or perks will change that.
WHY WOULD I WANT TO SEND YOU A PRESS RELEASE OR MEDIA KIT?
The Accidental Randonneur is a blog started in September 2015, based in the Philippines, primarily focused on road cycling, bicycle maintenance, product reviews, and rides and events.
By WordPress’ statistics, as of April 2022, it attracts 11,100 views from 9,300 visitors per month.
Its biggest audience is from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with the Philippines coming in fourth. Readership also comes from Australia, Singapore, Germany, and the Netherlands. As a media outlet, The Accidental Randonneur has come pretty far from humble beginnings, and I am well aware people in the bicycle industry, local and foreign, have had their ears to its ground for a while.
Apart from the eponymous blog, The Accidental Randonneur also has a presence on Facebook and Instagram.
the accidental randonneur 