You are hereSheldon Brown Memorial Ride
Sheldon Brown Memorial Ride
Sunday, February 10th, 4pm
Lamar Pedestrian Bridge
Earlier this week a cycling giant passed away. Sheldon Brown never won an Olympic medal, never set a time trial record, but in his own unique way he's affected a generation of cyclists in ways a half a dozen Tour wins can't touch. With humility, humor and wit Sheldon has imparted his mechanical wisdom via his website, now in it's 12th year, as well as through his frequent forum posts and email correspondence. Sheldon was the master of quirky bicycle modifications, with a penchant for fixed gear conversions, home-built tandems, old English 3-speeds, and bicycles that defied description or classification. His eccentricity carried through his entire collection, and in many ways inspired the current generation of altbikers who aren't content with what a bicycle is, but instead see what it can be.
Over the past few years Sheldon has suffered from a number of medical issues, which cumulated in the past year with Sheldon unable to continue cycling with the exception of his recumbent tricycle. Many people in the community had no idea as Sheldon never complained of his condition publicly, instead containing comments on his state of health to a single page on his website. Through it all he continued to dole out wisdom with good cheer up until the day he died. His passing was sudden and unexpected, and while I never met the man in person I have corresponded with him through the internet and I feel a personal loss nonetheless. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.
It is with great respect and admiration that we'd like to gather all the local cyclists who have been positively affected by Sheldon Brown's incredible donation to our community. If you have ever built a wheel based on his directions, repaired a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub using his guide, or even just referenced his gear calculator when figuring out your perfect ratio for your fixie, please show up and pay your respects. We'll be assembling on the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge at 4pm this Sunday. Many will be wearing black bands on their arms or top tubes, and helmets with ornamentation ala Igor or other eccentric accouterments are always welcome.
If you've never acquainted yourself with the man or his work, please refer to the following links and be enriched:
Bike term glossary, articles, bicycle information
Personal Site
Bicycling Magazine Memorial Article
Ride in Peace, "Captain Bike"!
Please feel free to forward this out to other people or mailing lists, and I’ve linked a few Sheldon Brown pics below if some of you enterprising types wanted to make up some spoke cards (wink wink):
http://www.dailyabortion.com/sheldon/sheldonobey.png
http://www.dailyabortion.com/sheldon/sheldonposse.png
http://www.dailyabortion.com/sheldon/scb_eagle.jpeg
is this gonna be one of those bust out your best fixed gear and your snaziest spandex outfit and race. or is it a mellow run what ya brung cruise around the park? I Just dont want to be the only person not wearing my spandex out fit. mines still at the tailors getting some room put in so my holiday gut will fit.
Hahaha, don't worry man, I'm going to be riding a slow bike (I'm thinking the 20" chrome lowrider I just fixed up) and since it's meeting at 4:00 I anticipate it being rather mellow...
I tried that spandex shit for Halloween (dead roadie) and the ladies couldn't keep their hands off me. That proves difficult when you're trying to propel a bike stereo so ever since I've left the spandex in the costume closet.
This one's going up on a bunch of local forums (bikemojo, txfixed, craigslist, etc) so we should get a decent variety of bikes and people on the ride. Maybe we can pretend it's a race at the beginning so all the racers'll bail and leave us to our leisurely pace.