R.I.P. Sheldon Brown...
Amazingly sad news.
Sheldon Brown has passed away. I just spoke with him last week via email, and as always, he was informative, positive and upbeat.
This is tragic.
Too many good folks are leaving us.
Reading his journal entry from just yesterday [scroll down to bottom] really brings home the vast uncertainty and unexpected nature of this life we all share, and how it can change so suddenly but in a mere moment of time.
I came to know about Sheldon years ago, but not through cycling-as one might imagine... instead through a search on the Internet about hats. After talking to him, I -then- discovered his other life... the cycling one. And whoa, was I blown away. His contributions were/are/always will be vast and infinite. A true Gentleman.
I also recall how excited he was when I sent him a [not very good in my estimate, but the best I could do at the time] photo-chop of his head onto Lance's body. He was thrilled and tickled by it, and kindly asked my permission to use it on his site. Which, of course, I agreed to...
Roll on Sheldon, Roll On...
you, Sir, own that Maillot Jaune.
The shock hasn't begun to wear off... I/we owe Sheldon so much. His knowledge was priceless, but what I'll really miss is his ability to see the whole world of cycling, including the amazing machine itself, as a teacher and coach. I can only hope to emulate that openness. For the apprentice Jedi cyclist, Sheldon is Yoda.
Posted by: MtMann | February 04, 2008 at 03:54 PM
*sigh* I'm sad, too.
Posted by: Fritz | February 04, 2008 at 04:04 PM
"brings home the vast uncertainty and unexpected nature of this life we all share, and how it can change so suddenly but in a mere moment of time."
Yes, but as you read his journal carefully, you can see the slow downturn his health had taken. I had no idea he had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Like so many other bicycle nuts, I have read and re-read his online articles about bicycles.
It always seems particularly sad when a person with such an obvious love for life passes on. The members of the Classic Rendezvous list have been expressing their sadness and some personal experiences with Mr. Brown.
All very sad. May he rest in peace.
Posted by: Greg | February 04, 2008 at 06:24 PM
I, too, exchanged e-mails on occasion (as recently as last week and for a couple weeks before) with Sheldon. I feel awful, I was plying him for a few details on my Raleigh upgrade project that were not yet on the website (hard to believe). This was a truly vast amount of bicycling information and more importantly hands on experience all in one extraordinary man. My sister-in-law has MS, and until now I did not know Sheldon did as well. My daughter has diabetes. Both auto-immune disorders, and they suck. I hope he did not suffer, and I feel like a bastard for bothering him with stupid trivial questions about my bike without first knowing him well enough to impose.
I know you knew him better, bro, and I am sorry for your (our) loss. I wasn't completely committed to upgrading my 1972 Raleigh Superbe frame, but am now and will ride it until it crumbles underneith me, and will think of Sheldon each time I throw a leg over it. (You up to a few braze-ons? Forks, seatstays, seat tube bottle bosses and a pair of downtube bosses?)
Pax.
Posted by: cutsh | February 04, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Sad beyond words.
There is a Sheldon-shaped hole in the world now.
Posted by: beth h | February 04, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I miss Sheldon.
I never met Sheldon.
I never corresponded with Sheldon.
I read his work. He added “soul” to my bicycling life.
I miss Sheldon.
Posted by: Nick V | February 04, 2008 at 11:29 PM
It will be truly hard to forget such a man. I learned so much from him. The more I learned the more I left the hype aside, the more I learned the more I commuted. He has transformed me into a real cyclist. I hope his articles and writings never disapear. They are a National Treasure.
Ari
Posted by: | February 04, 2008 at 11:57 PM
I can't quite believe what you're telling me!
I only sent and recieved very few emails from Sheldon, but he really helped me out and pointed me to what I was looking for.
His knowledge was second to none and he will be greatly missed.
Best wishes go to his family and friends.
Posted by: hotrodzombie | February 05, 2008 at 05:31 AM
I was absolutely gutted when I heard the news yesterday. It is such a loss.
If you have time/interest, Jack Thurston (host of "The Bike Show," which airs in London and is available free in Podcast form) is collecting audio stories about Sheldon Brown, with the goal of eventually dedicating one of his radio programs to Sheldon.
Full details here:
http://thebikeshow.net/2008/02/05/pay-your-tributes-to-the-mighty-sheldon-brown/
Posted by: Eric S. | February 05, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Huge shock to me as well.
I haven't been able to write about it yet.
What a huge, massive gift he gave us all.
Posted by: Heidi Swift | February 05, 2008 at 12:55 PM
you're the mastermind behind that photoshop? Kudos. I always laugh when I see that picture.
In the increasingly fragmented world of cycling, Sheldon Brown crossed boundaries with ease. A quick glimpse of the different message board tributes bears this out. He captured and exemplified the joy of riding for everyone.
Posted by: paz | February 07, 2008 at 09:12 PM