A True Ride Life...

A couple of years ago I was wandering around Dirt Demo at Interbike in Las Vegas. I had been on what felt like a couple million test rides and was about to call it a day when my jaw dropped. I had seen his picture on the Internet but it was the golden eagle mounted to his helmet that gave him away for sure. He was just returning from a test ride and seemed very focused absorbing every detail about the bike he had just ridden, I am sure by osmosis. I am not usually one to get star struck but I could not help myself, the legend stood before me – Sheldon Brown. For those of you who are not familiar with this man one of his most well known works is a website that he maintained, http://www.sheldonbrown.com. If you have never been to his website I encourage you to do so, it is a treasure chest of information for all things bicycle related. Trying to remain cool and collected I approached Sheldon, I am sure I had my right hand extend ready to shake long before I was an arm’s length away. I was tongue tied, standing there shaking his hand for an embarrassing length of time. All I could manage to muster was “Oh my gosh! Your work is incredible, I use your website all the time. Thank you for everything”. I finished shaking his hand and turned away with a goofy smile plastered across my dusty face without even properly introducing myself or letting the man speak. This was indeed a special day, one that I will remember for a lifetime. It was the day I met Sheldon Brown, the man that has spent a great part of his life enlightening professionals and tinkering enthusiasts on all subjects bicycle. A man that I look to as a role model not only for his wealth of knowledge but for his passion to ride, and his unending devotion to keeping people on there bikes (As Always, Sheldon Has The Answer).

It was a regular early February morning around the shop filled with coffee, grease and the usual amount of banter when the awful news broke. The day before, February 3rd, the bicycle guru Sheldon Brown had passed away at the age of 63 from a heart attack. The amount of technical knowledge and skill that Sheldon possessed was extraordinary but what was even more uncommon about his work was his willingness to share with all who cared to query. Anyone could write an email to Sheldon and get a personal reply within a few days and sometimes even moments. Having access to this wealth of information is a true boon to anyone who has ever enjoyed the pleasure of a bicycle. For myself working as a female mechanic in an industry in which that is uncommon, Sheldon’s hub of knowledge was a beacon in a moment of uncertainty. He lived a true Ride Life. My deepest condolences to his family and to Sheldon - you will be missed.

Sara