JEFFERSONVILLE, Vt. (BRAIN) — Height of Land Publications, the publisher of Alpinist, Backcountry Magazine, and Cross Country Skier, has acquired Mountain Flyer, the quarterly enthusiast mountain bike title published by Secret Agent Publishing in Gunnison, Colorado.
Mountain Flyer's founder, editor and publisher, Brian Riepe will continue at the helm from his office in Gunnison. All other operations will move to HOL's headquarters in Vermont.
"I've always admired the quality and substance of HOL's titles, Alpinist being one of my all-time favorite publications for its deeply engaging editorial and photography," Riepe said. "When the prospect came along to incorporate Mountain Flyer into HOL's group of titles, I immediately saw it as an opportunity to expand beyond what we could achieve as a stand-alone title. With the additional resources and fresh input from HOL's team, Mountain Flyer will have an even greater value to offer both its readership and advertisers. I'm excited to be a part of that future."
HOL's president and CEO Adam Howard is a graduate of Western Colorado State University in Gunnison. He said mountain biking has been missing from HOL's brands.
"Nearly half of our staff are as into mountain biking as they are skiing or climbing," he said. "I cut my teeth riding at Hartman's Rocks (in Gunnison) and in Crested Butte so the idea of renewing a relationship with Gunnison County through mountain biking is a dream."
Mountain Flyer grew from a regionally focused title to an internationally distributed publication with a focus on mountain bike advocacy, adventure riding, bikepacking, and destination travel.
Howard said Mountain Flyer is the only brand in the cycling industry that shares values with HOL's other brands.
"We don't do pay-to-play; we're transparent; and we hold our reader in the highest regard," he said.
Mountain Flyer will continue to be published four times a year and HOL hopes to build a bigger online, social and event-based presence for the brand.
