Scott Gabriel, known here as rootboy, died last May. I just got the news and thought it fitting to share a couple memories here. Scott was a talented, modest, and generous man. He contributed his insights and advice on this forum, especially on the subjects of fabrication and Motobecanes.

His skills in making beautiful objects by hand and his sense of design were impressive. He sewed leather seat bags with a finish that rivaled the finest leather camera cases of the past. On the lathe he turned aluminum handlebar plugs with painted concentric grooves in the ends. For several years he made tire scrapers (flint catchers) which he sold to René Herse and other retailers.

A little over a year ago I posted on this forum that I was looking for a derailleur cage stop pin for a Campagnolo Record derailleur. I soon learned that these are few and far between. Scott contacted me to let me know that he had made two of these out of stainless steel and would happily send me one. It's the piece in the photo below that looks a lot like a chess pawn.



Scott knew that I am a trout fisherman and surprised me by including in the package a couple dozen of the most beautifully tied trout flies I have ever owned, made by him of course.



Perhaps some of you with memories of Scott or who have any of Scott's other creations could share them here.

Brent

He sold me a couple custom pieces he made. I had not realized that I had not seen any of his posts in a while.

thanks for posting.

Thanks for letting us know. I would be in awe of his projects which showed his talents. Another name added to the list of those no loner with us.

RIP rootboy, I always drilled down on his posts from early on, never failed to learn something.

Every so often I am reminded that a significant contributor has stopped posting.
This is one of those moments.
Very Sad news.
Would have much preferred he just got bored or busy elsewhere.
May his family learn that he will be missed.

Sad news.

May the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.

Always enjoyed his contributions and banter. Keep the rubber down budd.

Rode with him many times on Cape Cod; he was a charter member of the usual suspects on the CCRT rides.
Fair winds and following seas!

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He had some eclectic skills and interests.
I couldn't find a thread where he and I argued about anything.

What!!! Oh My...

Rootboy came through for me when I was searching for a spindle to convert a cottered crank to square taper. It was years ago. He was patient and explained how to make a 5SB work. He also turned me on to Sheldon's archives...

God Bless His Passing...

The stuff he showed here was always wonderful. Some years ago he posted some leather Campagnolo brake hoods - I posted back "shut up and take my money." But right about the time he had them ready I had a newborn in the house and money was really tight and I didn't buy. Always felt like I had betrayed him.

Your dalliance was most likely someone else's windfall.

He certainly was an excellent contributor here.

Sooo sorry to hear this. He was a very knowledgeable member here to contributed greatly to the cycling community.

Oh, no! Always enjoyed his posts.

A sad day. And too long to learn of his passing.
R.I.P., Rootboy.

I’ll miss him here on the forums.

Very sad news. We traded many a good email or PM and even spoke on the phone a few times. Rootboy was first class all around. May his widow find comfort in our fond remembrances of all his great contributions on C&V!

Ride In Peace, rootboy.

Very sad news. I always admired his impeccable craftsmanship, and his posts here. Generous, humble and free of drama.
Also, if I recall correctly he was a big fan of the Pretenders, which only made me like him more.

So sad, just goes to show how wonderful this place is.

Scott was a great guy- like everyone has said- creative and generous. So sad and shocked to hear of his passing. I literally was thinking about him this past weekend- I need a leather belt shortened and remembered his skill with leather.

He made me a set of custom turned and painted bar end plugs.

And then he rebuilt a Korean War era Army cargo bag into a rack bag for me- he put a whole lot of thought, time, effort and materials into making it awesome. At some point, I wanted the straps longer or shorter... I tried reaming holes in the straps and totally effed them up. Scott replaced them with more appropriate length straps. I'm still really grateful to him for spending the time on the things he built for me.

M1945 1 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

M1945 2 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr


Farewell.

I've found myself wondering lately why he hasn't posted in such a long time. Now I know. Ride in peace, rootboy.

So sad. I recall coming across a thread of his where he was going to make leather brake hoods. He seemed to be a creative individual.

His leather brake hoods were beautifully made.
I proudly own a pair that have seen many thousands of miles and just get better looking with age.
He was a creative, thoughtful, kind and generous man.
Rest In Peace Scott
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So sad to hear about Scott. I regret never having the opportunity to meet him but enjoyed our PM correspondence. Its nice to see some of Scott’s beautiful items and know that his memory will carry on through them. RIP.