Welcome to VeloMail on Substack!
A warm welcome and a little introduction to my new writing home.
Thank you for joining me!
Well, this is exciting and quite overwhelming in the best possible way. After posting my last proper entry on Tinyletter earlier this week, the wave of folks coming over to join me here has filled me with absolute joy!
Whether you found me via that final tinyletter or are completely brand new to VeloMail, thank you so much for subscribing.
At the risk of repeating myself (because it’s highly likely I will write this phrase a lot), it does mean the world to me that you’re here. When I started this newsletter in 2018, I had no idea how it would go down. It wasn’t quite Vélo-City-Girl (the blog that most people knew me from), and it certainly wasn’t 100% pure cycling… but its readers enjoyed it and reminded me why writing brings me so much happiness.
I can already feel that warm and fuzzy writing glow coming on strong. With what Substack will allow me to do, I hope you enjoy what I have to offer.
What brought me here
As I mentioned in my last mailout, TinyLetter was a brilliant platform to start on. I loved sending out newsletters, but the more I wanted to expand the kind of content I made, the more I realized that I needed to move home… so here I am.
I felt like I was experimenting, even calling myself a writer/author and a podcaster, despite the fact they are things I do for a freelance living. The imposter syndrome that enjoys feasting on me got some extra nutrition from both these professional avenues being demolished - metaphorically and literally.
Deep down, I knew I was the only person who could build both these things back up, brick by brick—waiting for someone else to give me an opportunity on their agenda (and, on a few occasions, getting it but then having it snatched away from me) was becoming frustrating and redundant.
Although I enjoy writing and podcasting, it's less enjoyable when I can't discuss what I'm passionate about. VeloMail on Substack is the new foundation to be able to tell my stories exactly how I want to.
Community Links
I miss the community and connections that my ridiculously long stint on social media used to bring! I’ve watched and experienced some of the OG platforms that gave me such joy turn into slanging-match cesspits (you know what one I’m talking about). I don’t want to chase engagement. I don’t want my self-worth determined by how many ‘likes’ I’ve chalked up. I don’t want to be blasted off a platform for daring to talk about something other than riding bikes. I’m not interested in podcast download figure battles, nor in doing the ‘dance of the blue tick’ to get any of the above.
I want to create communities and connections through stories in a place that feels safe and free to do so! VeloMail will include stories on food, mental health, cycling, sneakers and street style, family, photography… and so much more!
I’m going to open up channels here for discussions (I’m looking forward to using the Chat feature), and it’ll be so wonderful to hear from YOU with your thoughts, opinions and suggestions on what you’d like to see and listen to on VeloMail.
What’s the frequency, Kenneth Jools?
Along with the odd musical pun landing in your mailboxes (yes, I’ll still be doing those), VeloMail will start as a monthly publication. This gives me enough time to work on creating good content for your eyes and your ears and allows me to manage my life and commitments outside of this platform… aside from being a freelancer, I am also a full-time carer to my beloved Mamma Vélo, which will always be a priority.
Alongside content only available via a paid subscription, there will be occasional free-to-read posts along with Chats and Threads.
Once again - THANK YOU SO MUCH for joining me on VeloMail…, and if you haven’t signed up, you know it’s never too late to hit that Subscribe button! 😉
Big love, Jools x
Buy my book - Back in the Frame: Cycling, belonging and finding joy on a bike.