Without doubt, the most influential and iconic of mentors has sadly passed to his maker. As you may be aware, Sheldon Brown represented a walking, humbly talking encyclopedia of cycling. He had an incredible grasp for arcane details of bicycling hardware. I’m pleased to remember his patient, thoughtful and informative responses to many esoteric questions I wrote him about. I’ve read elsewhere this last week that he answered hundreds of emails daily! How did he do it? I strongly recommend that any fixer bookmark his site and start reading his pages. His “web design style” focused mostly on the content. And as far as fixed gear and other arcane cycling info goes—there is no better source anywhere in my opinion.
I used to look at his own collection of bicycles. It was so bizarre and seemingly impractical, yet to read his loving descriptions, you’d think everyone should have a fixed gear tandem or 3 speed fixed gear commuter. It continues to be clear to me how much of an impact he had. I couldn’t possibly count the number of links I’ve seen to his content over the last few years. Many fixed gear tutorials, info sites and blogs link out to his content.
I ask you, could you have come up with, say, this???
I just spent a few minutes looking at his site and I’m still chuckling. I encourage y’all to go there and read a bit, it’ll lighten your day to know someone so funny and passionate about cycling could find the time to parody us cyclists so well.
Sheldon, I hope to cross paths with you again, you were a true inspiration for me and your humor will be missed.
G