NY Times DutchBike Feature

Sheldon "The Man Who Loved Bicycles" Brown

Sheldon Brown suffered a massive heart attack yesterday. Now he's gone and that leaves a gaping hole in the lives of those who knew him, read his work and shared his passions.

His health was worsening over recent years due to gradual nerve deterioration in his legs and the last two years I saw him at Interbike, he was driving a mobility scooter. When I spoke to him at last years show, I was happy to see that his sparkle was still there. As his on-line journal says, he didn't wan't to bother others with his health problems.

He wasn't one to focus on carbon fibre gee-gaws and 10 speed cassettes, but oh, he loved bicycles. A look at his creations over the decades leaves no doubt about that.





(photo courtest of sheldonbrown.org)

And he was inventive, a tinkerer and justifably proud of his handiwork, but there was no hint of selfish pride. He knew he was good and so he did what any decent human would do with his expertise, he shared with wit & wisdom, creating the most comprehensive series of web-based technical pages that would be well-nigh impossible to improve on, willingly contributing to individuals and to various cycling-related fora .


Sheldon Brown 1944 - 2008

Someone who touched many lives and made a difference. Sadly missed.

Let's be clear about this...

from nooksack blogspot

Vintage Pista Blog

If you're not seduced by the Campag C-Record (aka "Sherrif Star") Track Hubs, don't bother with this blog.

Nothing to do with bicycles, but very clever

http://producten.hema.nl/

Physically Separated Bike Lanes

The lowdown on this controversial approach to cycling "safety"

Sheldon also has a take on this

Classic Parts

No, not ancient Campagnolo, Simplex or Bluemels, something a bit newer. James in his bicycle design blogspot talks about the Powergrip, the lowly foot retention device that (very) briefly bridged the gap between clips & strap and SPD. The modern cycle enthusiast appears to think little of spending a few hundred of their combination of shoes, cleats and pedals, because ...? Well, that's just the way it is, innit. I mean, why would you spend <$100 on pedals and straps, when there are more modern options. Kent Peterson also speaks of their virtues over SPD’s.

Exquisitly Animated Short Film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdxap1wuMEk