Tony Tom of Bicycle Odyssey has passed away
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Tony Tom of Bicycle Odyssey has passed away
It's being reported over at CR and Paceline that Tony Tom, owner of Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito, California has passed away. This is a great loss.
I met Tony when I was a sales rep in the Bay Area in the early 80's, back when the shop was on Caledonia (one block over from the main tourist drag). Everyone said he had the best bike shop in San Francisco (even though it was across the GG Bridge in Sausalito). He gave Greg LeMond his first USCF racing license, and remained a friend for years. You can look up videos of Greg coming to visit the shop. He sold Rob Williams most of his bikes. He was very personable. I hadn't seen him for maybe a couple of decades until I saw him walking across the concours event at Eroica California in 2019 as a judge. He saw me and yelled out my name. He seemed to know everyone that ever picked up a wrench and got paid for it, but was very humble. Cycling greats were friends of his.
If you don't know of Tony, scroll down through this link and see some videos of him and Tom Ritchey, Greg LeMond, and Steve Potts.
Memorial ride is being planned.
I met Tony when I was a sales rep in the Bay Area in the early 80's, back when the shop was on Caledonia (one block over from the main tourist drag). Everyone said he had the best bike shop in San Francisco (even though it was across the GG Bridge in Sausalito). He gave Greg LeMond his first USCF racing license, and remained a friend for years. You can look up videos of Greg coming to visit the shop. He sold Rob Williams most of his bikes. He was very personable. I hadn't seen him for maybe a couple of decades until I saw him walking across the concours event at Eroica California in 2019 as a judge. He saw me and yelled out my name. He seemed to know everyone that ever picked up a wrench and got paid for it, but was very humble. Cycling greats were friends of his.
If you don't know of Tony, scroll down through this link and see some videos of him and Tom Ritchey, Greg LeMond, and Steve Potts.
Memorial ride is being planned.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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Last edited by gugie; 10-31-21 at 09:41 AM.
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It was a shock for me too. Tony was one of the GREATS in the bike world. A very soft spoken humble person. I bought a few classic bikes from him. Everytime I was in Sausalito I stopped in and bought something, anything just to support a great LBS.
He always had a smile and a good answer.
He will be missed.
verktyg
He always had a smile and a good answer.
He will be missed.
verktyg

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...that is a huge loss.
That was about the only bike shop I ever visited down in the Bay area any more. It was packed to the rafters with interesting stuff. And I could also stroll around in Sausalito's strip along the water , and catch breakfast somewhere. I suspect strongly that all three of my Ron Cooper bikes originally came through his shop.
...that is a huge loss.

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So sad! Tony was such a great guy. The first time I met Tony was in 1980. I was on crutches due to a recent cycling accident. He measured me up for a custom Ron Cooper frame which I still have and which I have always taken back to Tony for any work that I couldn't accomplish. Pretty much every time I've ridden through Sausalito I've stopped to chat with him and buy a few things from his shop; he has always made time for conversation. I actually tried to talk him into riding Touroica with us but of course his duty to the shop was always first and foremost. I am totally bummed.

Tony Tom
Tony Tom

Tony Tom
Tony Tom
Last edited by davester; 10-31-21 at 11:30 AM.
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RIP and may you be riding your favorite bike wherever you are from now on.
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He ran a bicycle candy shop. He will be missed.
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-----
i experienced a wonderfully positive interaction with Tony about twenty five years ago or more
a friend tipped me that Tony was having a big clear out sale so i went for a look see
found lots of goodies at excellent prices and made a big pile
did not have enough funds for everything i wanted to buy
or as me dad used to say "your eyes are bigger than your stomach" with reference to ordering at a restaurant
Tony did not know me at all and he just said go ahead an take the stuff and pay me when you can
so i did that came back the next week with the rest of the green stuff
what an amazing experience!
so sad to read of this news.
-----
i experienced a wonderfully positive interaction with Tony about twenty five years ago or more
a friend tipped me that Tony was having a big clear out sale so i went for a look see
found lots of goodies at excellent prices and made a big pile
did not have enough funds for everything i wanted to buy
or as me dad used to say "your eyes are bigger than your stomach" with reference to ordering at a restaurant
Tony did not know me at all and he just said go ahead an take the stuff and pay me when you can
so i did that came back the next week with the rest of the green stuff
what an amazing experience!
so sad to read of this news.

-----
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I met Tony in April of 2017. I had recently purchased a Ron Cooper from it's original owner and 'was on my way south to ride it in Eroica California. The original owner was a retired Coast Guardsman who had purchase the Cooper at the Bicycle Odyssey while he was stationed in Arcata, CA in the 1980's. I introduced myself to Tony, then told him about my bike and the story of how it came to me. Amazingly, he remembered the original owner! The shop was busy at the time, but Tony seemed to have all the time in the day for me. In parting, he advised "hang on to your Cooper Dean".
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I've only been in A Bicycle Odyssey a handful of times over the past 20 years or so. Tony did not me from Adam, He was always gracious and welcoming anyway, like I was a good friend. Yeah, it was good business, but it was more than that. It was genuine, just the way he was. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.
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Dang! That's terrible news. I had been visiting Tony's shop for many years now, and it was great to deal with someone who understand the needs of C&Vers, despite his shop selling the most modern bikes too.
He sold me my first tubular wheelset about maybe 8 years ago. A beautiful 32H set that has DT SS butted spokes record hubs, and Mavic GL330 rims. In close to mint condition and looked like a take-off. I felt like I did not deserve such a nice wheelset for my first tubulars. The wheelset was actually part if his C&V component display, but Tony was nice enough to sell me the wheelset anyway, after I sheepishly asked him out of the blue if he was willing to.
Every time I visit his shop, he was always willing to accomodate any if my C&V bike needs.
I hope his family can keep the shop going without him at the helm. Odyssey had been quite an institution in Bay area cycling.
RIP Tony, The bay area cycling community is gonna miss you and condolences to his family and employees at his shop......
He sold me my first tubular wheelset about maybe 8 years ago. A beautiful 32H set that has DT SS butted spokes record hubs, and Mavic GL330 rims. In close to mint condition and looked like a take-off. I felt like I did not deserve such a nice wheelset for my first tubulars. The wheelset was actually part if his C&V component display, but Tony was nice enough to sell me the wheelset anyway, after I sheepishly asked him out of the blue if he was willing to.
Every time I visit his shop, he was always willing to accomodate any if my C&V bike needs.
I hope his family can keep the shop going without him at the helm. Odyssey had been quite an institution in Bay area cycling.
RIP Tony, The bay area cycling community is gonna miss you and condolences to his family and employees at his shop......
Last edited by Chombi1; 11-01-21 at 02:37 AM.
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A bit more info
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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I loved that shop and as everyone has said: Tony was the most gracious of hosts!
He didn't come off as a "merchant" but as the guy who was about to be your new best cycling bud, even tho he had just laid eyes on you...Tony will be missed.
He didn't come off as a "merchant" but as the guy who was about to be your new best cycling bud, even tho he had just laid eyes on you...Tony will be missed.
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Tom and Tom
https://vimeo.com/130822797
https://vimeo.com/130822797
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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I met Tony in April of 2017. I had recently purchased a Ron Cooper from it's original owner and 'was on my way south to ride it in Eroica California. The original owner was a retired Coast Guardsman who had purchase the Cooper at the Bicycle Odyssey while he was stationed in Arcata, CA in the 1980's. I introduced myself to Tony, then told him about my bike and the story of how it came to me. Amazingly, he remembered the original owner! The shop was busy at the time, but Tony seemed to have all the time in the day for me. In parting, he advised "hang on to your Cooper Dean".
Dean
Dean
-D
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Such sad news. I was just in the shop this past Friday (29 Oct) getting a fine tune from one of his team members. His shop was great that way.
I went to Tony to seek advice on the gearing that i needed for the Death Ride. He set me up perfectly. He also recommended a nice SOMA frame that he built up, and which I'll now cherish even more. Most recently he got me up on the trainer and did a minor fitting on my Bianchi after doing a big repair on it. I'll never touch those settings again. As everyone in the forum has said, Tony was such a kind person. The world has lost one of the best, but The Good Place now has an amazing bike shop.
RIP Tony!!
I went to Tony to seek advice on the gearing that i needed for the Death Ride. He set me up perfectly. He also recommended a nice SOMA frame that he built up, and which I'll now cherish even more. Most recently he got me up on the trainer and did a minor fitting on my Bianchi after doing a big repair on it. I'll never touch those settings again. As everyone in the forum has said, Tony was such a kind person. The world has lost one of the best, but The Good Place now has an amazing bike shop.
RIP Tony!!
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Tony on the Anchor Steamer Team.

The man behind the best bike shop in Bay Area, a true loss for our community.

The man behind the best bike shop in Bay Area, a true loss for our community.
#19
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Unofficial Memorial ride was held up Mt. Tam this morning, about 30 people reportedly riding.
All pics from joosttx over at the Paceline forum

Pre-dawn start

Sunrise at Mt. Tam summit

RIP Tony
All pics from joosttx over at the Paceline forum

Pre-dawn start

Sunrise at Mt. Tam summit

RIP Tony
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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Just a follow-up: there is an "official" memorial ride for Tony Tom planned for Dec. 12. This is the link I copied from the CR list this AM, hope it has the ride info in there but not sure:
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/reta...5#.YZNX5b3MIQk <https://www.bicycleretailer.com/reta...5#.YZNX5b3MIQk>
EDIT: No the ride info is not in those links, just the Bicycle Retailer Obit. So will dig into the CR archives and try to find/post the actual details for the Dec. 12 memorial ride.
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/reta...5#.YZNX5b3MIQk <https://www.bicycleretailer.com/reta...5#.YZNX5b3MIQk>
EDIT: No the ride info is not in those links, just the Bicycle Retailer Obit. So will dig into the CR archives and try to find/post the actual details for the Dec. 12 memorial ride.
Last edited by unworthy1; 11-16-21 at 12:32 PM.
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Thank you for the heartfelt tribute to Tony Tom. I never met him, but after reading your posts, I feel like I have met another good "friend I never met."
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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Here's the memorial ride info posted on the Marin Museum of Bicycling Facebook page:
There is a memorial ride being organized for Tony on December 12th. Meet at A Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito and be ready to ride at 10:30am. Ride goes around Paradise Drive and then back to the shop for a celebration of Tony's life. Food and beverages are yet T.B.D. so stay tuned. Sign up for more info at www.mmbhof.org
I will be showing up on my Ron Cooper, which Tony handed to me in early 1981 and which has never had any mechanical work by anyone other than myself and Tony.
There is a memorial ride being organized for Tony on December 12th. Meet at A Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito and be ready to ride at 10:30am. Ride goes around Paradise Drive and then back to the shop for a celebration of Tony's life. Food and beverages are yet T.B.D. so stay tuned. Sign up for more info at www.mmbhof.org
I will be showing up on my Ron Cooper, which Tony handed to me in early 1981 and which has never had any mechanical work by anyone other than myself and Tony.
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Very appropriate. My understanding is that Tony sold more Coopers in the US than anyone else. Especially in the Bay Area, if you owned a Cooper, it probably came from Bicycle Odyssey.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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February, 2022
Being v. far away from California as I have for several decades I am only learning today of Tony. There are no words per se.which I need to state. You already know each and every. This makes no sense whatsoever. Utterly devastating. Beyond sweet, caring, giving. Eternally memorable, in our hearts, be same decades ago, today and all the tomorrows.
John Teeter
Being v. far away from California as I have for several decades I am only learning today of Tony. There are no words per se.which I need to state. You already know each and every. This makes no sense whatsoever. Utterly devastating. Beyond sweet, caring, giving. Eternally memorable, in our hearts, be same decades ago, today and all the tomorrows.
John Teeter
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