(international: choose flag and then click "leave a message" to translate comments)
sheldon's change ringing
To celebrate the life of Sheldon "Bicycle Guru" Brown. 1944-2008
"Coasting is a pernicious habit"
MIT Guild of Bellringers
11 Feb 2008, on handbells. in 40 minutes.
1280 Kent Treble Bob Major
Trebles - S. Assmann
3-4 C. Perry
5-6 J. Del Papa
Tenors - E. Hansen (conductor)
What is change ringing?
obituary on belgium knee warmers
Homage to Sheldon Brown
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008
Posted on Belgium Knee Warmers
In the annals of single name stars, cycling has had nearly as many as rock ‘n’ roll. We’ve had Eddy, Greg, Lance, Mario and Eki. But for those of us who have cared about the operation of the bicycle itself we’ve had our own star: Sheldon.
His contribution to cycling cannot be overstated. From his glossary of bicycle terminology to his articles on fixed gear cycling and do-it-yourselfing, Sheldon was the consummate cycling geek. He was in and of himself a compendium. I can think of no higher compliment to pay someone’s intelligence than to say it was encyclopedic. His site was and is the Encyclopedia Britannica of cycling; I can't recall how many times I said, "I'm sure it's on Sheldon's site."
To the IRS, Sheldon was a bike shop employee. From my limited understanding, the folks at Harris Cyclery thought of him as much more; his value would be best described as treasure.
His career at Harris Cyclery was an unassuming backdrop to his contribution to the cycling community. Reading through the links to the volumes of articles he wrote for beginner cyclists, one cannot help but remark, “I wish I had been able to read that when I was starting out.”
That Sheldon compiled all of this information so devoid of desire for personal glory, so stubbornly without remuneration was far more than modest, it was selfless. That he didn't make his living as a bike magazine editor bears an ironic twist--he deserved to make his living as a writer, but had he done so, his thousands of pages of text would be buried deep within magazine back issues rather than searchable on the Internet. His sacrifice was our gain.
It is unsurprising that such an original thinker would credit the works of Robert A. Heinlein, Martin Luther King and Bertrand Russell as sources of inspiration.
Sheldon leaves behind a wife, Harriet, and two children: a daughter, Tova, and a son, George, both of whom are Ph.D. candidates in mathematics.
For my part, I met Sheldon only once, at Interbike. I told him it was a pleasure to meet him and how important a resource his work has been to me. He seemed genuinely delighted to be paid the compliment and I was pleased to think I might have brightened his day.
Sheldon, your passing is a loss to a community larger than you know.
The original article is HERE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008
Posted on Belgium Knee Warmers
In the annals of single name stars, cycling has had nearly as many as rock ‘n’ roll. We’ve had Eddy, Greg, Lance, Mario and Eki. But for those of us who have cared about the operation of the bicycle itself we’ve had our own star: Sheldon.
His contribution to cycling cannot be overstated. From his glossary of bicycle terminology to his articles on fixed gear cycling and do-it-yourselfing, Sheldon was the consummate cycling geek. He was in and of himself a compendium. I can think of no higher compliment to pay someone’s intelligence than to say it was encyclopedic. His site was and is the Encyclopedia Britannica of cycling; I can't recall how many times I said, "I'm sure it's on Sheldon's site."
To the IRS, Sheldon was a bike shop employee. From my limited understanding, the folks at Harris Cyclery thought of him as much more; his value would be best described as treasure.
His career at Harris Cyclery was an unassuming backdrop to his contribution to the cycling community. Reading through the links to the volumes of articles he wrote for beginner cyclists, one cannot help but remark, “I wish I had been able to read that when I was starting out.”
That Sheldon compiled all of this information so devoid of desire for personal glory, so stubbornly without remuneration was far more than modest, it was selfless. That he didn't make his living as a bike magazine editor bears an ironic twist--he deserved to make his living as a writer, but had he done so, his thousands of pages of text would be buried deep within magazine back issues rather than searchable on the Internet. His sacrifice was our gain.
It is unsurprising that such an original thinker would credit the works of Robert A. Heinlein, Martin Luther King and Bertrand Russell as sources of inspiration.
Sheldon leaves behind a wife, Harriet, and two children: a daughter, Tova, and a son, George, both of whom are Ph.D. candidates in mathematics.
For my part, I met Sheldon only once, at Interbike. I told him it was a pleasure to meet him and how important a resource his work has been to me. He seemed genuinely delighted to be paid the compliment and I was pleased to think I might have brightened his day.
Sheldon, your passing is a loss to a community larger than you know.
The original article is HERE
obituary on cyclingedinburugh.info
Sheldon Brown 1944 - 2008
Posted by chdot on February 4, 2008
From cyclingedinburugh.info
Sheldon Brown was best known, throughout the world, for his web site - Sheldon Brown’s Bicycle Technical Info. Or just Sheldon Brown.
On this he shared his genuinely encyclopedic knowledge of cycling, bikes, components - and their use.
Facts and considered (and valuable) opinions were conveyed with wit and style. For instance - “Everything You Wanted to Know About Shifting Your Bicycle’s Gears, But Were Afraid to Ask…” under the heading Articles For New Cyclists by Sheldon “Been There” Brown.
However much (or little) you think you know about bikes you will be educated and entertained by his site. But it’s not just bikes, he was writing about his life on-line (my journal), long before the word blog was invented. “While I’m mainly writing this for the benefit of my kids, I’m leaving it public for anybody who cares.” Unlike many bloggers, what he has to say is worth reading.
His last entry was yesterday. It began: “I’ve finally made up my mind, I’ll be voting for Obama in the primary on Tuesday.”
Originally appearing HERE
Posted by chdot on February 4, 2008
From cyclingedinburugh.info
Sheldon Brown was best known, throughout the world, for his web site - Sheldon Brown’s Bicycle Technical Info. Or just Sheldon Brown.
On this he shared his genuinely encyclopedic knowledge of cycling, bikes, components - and their use.
Facts and considered (and valuable) opinions were conveyed with wit and style. For instance - “Everything You Wanted to Know About Shifting Your Bicycle’s Gears, But Were Afraid to Ask…” under the heading Articles For New Cyclists by Sheldon “Been There” Brown.
However much (or little) you think you know about bikes you will be educated and entertained by his site. But it’s not just bikes, he was writing about his life on-line (my journal), long before the word blog was invented. “While I’m mainly writing this for the benefit of my kids, I’m leaving it public for anybody who cares.” Unlike many bloggers, what he has to say is worth reading.
His last entry was yesterday. It began: “I’ve finally made up my mind, I’ll be voting for Obama in the primary on Tuesday.”
Originally appearing HERE
obituary on velonews
Velonews: the Journal of Competative Cycling; Posted Feb. 5, 2008
Before moving on to less important matters, I’d like to acknowledge the passing on Monday of Sheldon Brown, one of the giants of bicycle maintenance, technology and general bicycle mechanical understanding.
He will be sorely missed, particularly for those seeking simple, straightforward answers to a vast array of bicycle-related questions. His white bearded visage with eagle-adorned helmet has long been the online face of Harris Cyclery in West Newton, Massachusetts.
A frequent presence on rec.bicycles.tech, Sheldon often shared his enthusiasm for all things three speed and reminded us all of the beauty and simplicity of a bicycle without the latest number of speeds and carbon doodads. The acronym “AASHTA” (As Always, Sheldon Has The Answer) must sadly finally be retired.
Sheldon died at age 63 of a heart attack, but he had struggled with his health of late. Seven months ago, he was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, which took away his ability to ride a bike, after which he had switched to riding a recumbent trike. May you roll forever on two wheels, Sheldon.
The original article can be read HERE
obituary on dane 101
Word came today that Sheldon Brown died on Sunday of a heart attack. I wasn’t a devoted follower of Brown’s, but many of my friends were, and I certainly was aware of his contribution to bicycling.
Brown’s death is a reminder of so many bicycle heroes who have gone before him and died too young. The first name that came to mind this morning was Ken Kifer. Kifer’s webpage, like Brown’s, was (and is) an invaluable resource for the bicycling world. Kifer was killed by a drunk driver in 2003.
In March of 2002 I was working as a bicycle/pedestrian planner in South Bend, Indiana. I had not yet even conceived of one day working in the nonprofit world. Over the Association of Pedestrian/Bicycle Professionals list-serv, I heard that Susie Stephens had been killed by a bus. I knew that she was an important person in the bicycle advocacy field. She had been active in The Bicycle Alliance of Washington and the Thunderhead Alliance, among other related groups. Just about five months later I was a bicycle advocacy leader myself, listening to stories about her and crying around a campfire in Minnesota with ten of her best friends.
Closer to home in 2004, Appleton lost advocate Kevin Kendall. And, on June 30, 2005, Jessica “Jess” Bullen was killed by t
he careless actions of a driver with a hideous record. Jess’s death, though I didn’t know her, hit me in a way that no other ever had. We moved in the same circles and had the same friends. What happened to her could have just as easily have happened to me. It was extremely upsetting. Jess’s family set up a memorial fund with proceeds going to bicycle advocacy. The folks at Quann Garden honored Jess too. My coworkers and I mobilized a Ghost Bikes campaign around the anniversary of her death. The promo sign still stands in my front yard as a daily reminder.
I know that thinking about death is kind of a downer, but it bothers me sometimes how easily the world shakes off the loss of another human being. Especially when the human being lost was so extraordinary in life and made such a huge impact on so many lives. I think it is good to remember our fallen friends from time to time, even if it is painful.
Tailwinds, Sheldon…many of us are thinking of you and will not forget you.
http://www.dane101.com/regular_feature/2008/02/05/biy_bike_it_yourself_heroes
obituary on bikemagic.com
Sheldon was born on 14 July 1944. He grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where as a child he would scour the town dump for discarded bicycle parts, assemble bikes and sell them. It was the start of a lifelong enthusiasm for bikes, but it would be wrong to describe it as an obsession. Sheldon had plenty of time for things other than bikes, but it was with bikes that he chose to make a living with Harris Cyclery. Thanks to Sheldon, Harris Cyclery was one of the first shops in the world to have a web site.
Before the World Wide Web was even invented, Sheldon would be there in the Usenet rec.bicycles.* newsgroups, dispensing wisdom. He rose above the flame wars and ad hominems that sometimes tended to replace sensible discussion - if Sheldon knew the answer to a question he'd deliver it, straightforwardly, generously and good-humouredly. And when it came to questions about bicycles, Sheldon had pretty much all the answers - www.sheldonbrown.com became a legendary resource for anyone needing to know finer technical details like the difference in sprocket thickness between nine-speed Shimano and nine-speed Campag, or what length (and angle of taper) bottom bracket to use with a particular crankarm, or the ETRTO numbers for obscure European tyre sizes.
Having experienced gradual nerve deterioration for several years, leading to him becoming unable to ride a bike (although he rode his Greenspeed recumbent trike just a few days before his death), Sheldon was finally diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis in 2007. He dealt with his illness has he did everything else - philosophically, and with good humour. Noting that MS was unlikely to spread to his upper body, he simply adapted and got on with things.
Sheldon will be remembered as a knowledgeable, dignified, generous and good-humoured man, and will be missed by many. But there can be no better way to sum up Sheldon's character than to use his own words. Writing in 2007 following his diagnosis, he said:
"I really don't mean to be gloomy.
In most ways my life is a dream: after 27 years of marriage, my wife and I are still very much in love.
We've got two great kids, both of whom are doing well in graduate school and appear to be on track toward happy, productive, independent lives.
We live in a comfortable house in a safe neighborhood. I have work that I love and a kind, understanding boss who values my contribution, even though it mostly comes over the computer keyboard these days, sometimes at the shop, more often from my home.
My condition is a major inconvenience, but doesn't appear to be life-threatening, and there is no pain involved, so I really consider myself a very fortunate person in general.
MS isn't all that bad, at least not my case."
News of Sheldon's death came as a great shock to the world wide cycling community - he was posting helpful advice on forums on the day he died.
Sheldon Brown died on 3 February 2008. He is survived by his wife Harriet Fell and children Tova and George.
Original article can be viewed HERE
obituary on bike retailer
Tech Guru Sheldon Brown Dies
Bicycle Retailer, 02/04/2008 8:28 PM MST
By Matt Wiebe
NEWTONVILLE, MA (BRAIN)—Sheldon Brown, who could explain the intricacies of 40-year-old Sturmey Archer hubs with the same patient clarity with which he would explain suspension or integrated shifters, died from a sudden heart attack Sunday night.
His death was unrelated to the progressive multiple sclerosis that had kept him off his bikes since September 2006.
Most bicyclists encountered Brown through his technical writing on the Harris Cyclery Web site, www.harriscyclery.com, where he was webmaster and general tech guru for the West Newton, Massachusetts retailer.
If a cyclist had a problem with any cycle, from any time period, from any country, Brown had probably collected the information they needed. If not he would happily help them further. Industry insiders knew him as a fount of incredible knowledge about the bike industry and always quick to help.
Brown wrote copiously, whether it be hundreds of thousands of words on bike history or component specification on the Harris Cyclery Web site, or the numerous articles for Bike World, Bicycling and American Bicyclist magazines and his regular contributions to Adventure Cyclist magazine.
According to his last blog entry on Sunday February 3, the day he died, Brown was looking forward to casting his vote on Super Tuesday for Barack Obama, influenced by the hard work his daughter has done on behalf of the Obama campaign.
Brown’s sudden death took his family and his friends at Harris Cyclery by surprise. The shop has received many calls from those expressing their condolences, and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Original article is HERE
Bicycle Retailer, 02/04/2008 8:28 PM MST
By Matt Wiebe
NEWTONVILLE, MA (BRAIN)—Sheldon Brown, who could explain the intricacies of 40-year-old Sturmey Archer hubs with the same patient clarity with which he would explain suspension or integrated shifters, died from a sudden heart attack Sunday night.
His death was unrelated to the progressive multiple sclerosis that had kept him off his bikes since September 2006.
Most bicyclists encountered Brown through his technical writing on the Harris Cyclery Web site, www.harriscyclery.com, where he was webmaster and general tech guru for the West Newton, Massachusetts retailer.
If a cyclist had a problem with any cycle, from any time period, from any country, Brown had probably collected the information they needed. If not he would happily help them further. Industry insiders knew him as a fount of incredible knowledge about the bike industry and always quick to help.
Brown wrote copiously, whether it be hundreds of thousands of words on bike history or component specification on the Harris Cyclery Web site, or the numerous articles for Bike World, Bicycling and American Bicyclist magazines and his regular contributions to Adventure Cyclist magazine.
According to his last blog entry on Sunday February 3, the day he died, Brown was looking forward to casting his vote on Super Tuesday for Barack Obama, influenced by the hard work his daughter has done on behalf of the Obama campaign.
Brown’s sudden death took his family and his friends at Harris Cyclery by surprise. The shop has received many calls from those expressing their condolences, and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Original article is HERE
obituary in bike biz
Sheldon Brown RIP
~Carleton Reid, February 4, 9:02pm
World's most famous bike mechanic passes away
Sheldon Brown died last night of a massive heart attack.
News was carried on the website of Harris Cyclery of the US, where he had worked.
His bike tech pages on the shop website are some of the bike world's most visited pages, linked from thousands of websites.
He was also noted for his April Fool spoofs. Who could ever forget the Real Man Saddle, made from granite?
Read the original article HERE
obituary on bike radar
Sheldon Brown: 1944 - 2008
By Gary Boulanger, US editor
Bike Radar, Feb 5/08Sheldon Brown, the human encyclopedia of bicycling knowledge and a famous
employee of Harris Cyclery in Massachusetts, died of a massive heart attack
Sunday evening, February 3, according to his wife Harriet.
The 63-year-old bicycle expert was diagnosed with primary progressive
multiple sclerosis in August 2007, limiting his prior upright bicycling and
workload. His many trademarks include a longish gray leprechaun beard and
shaved head. He was also well-known for patiently and thoroughly answering
his 500 - 1000 daily emails.
Our thoughts are with Brown's family during their time of loss. His contributions to the bicycle industry were great, and his enduring legacy shall be greater.
Original article can be read HERE
organize a sheldon wake ride
& let's all think about organizing a ride for him on his birthday, Bastille Day (July 14), or perhaps April 1st.
contact webmistress
please contact me with questions, suggestions, further links.
pedalrevolutionary [AT] gmail [D0T] com
~ifny
vancouver bc
pedalrevolutionary [AT] gmail [D0T] com
~ifny
vancouver bc
