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Charlie Cunningham
Charlie has succumbed to the complications of a brain injury from a bike accident that took place over 10 years ago. If you don't know about the pioneering work done by Charlie you owe yourself a quick internet search. There's a lot of information about his bike innovations, particularly in the early days of the mountain bike.
I won't go into the history here. I'm sure others will cover that better than I could. I want to talk bout the man himself. I knew Charlie as a fellow cyclist but I knew him better as a member of a circle of friends, including his wife Jacquie, who played music together. Charlie and my late wife Nanette were our faithful audience. Charlie was a quiet man, modest and shy, but passionate about his many projects to improve both mountain and road bikes, always striving to find that point where as-light-as-possible was strong enough. His basement workshop included everything from massive welding clamps to tiny jewelers files, reflecting the broad range of his curiosity. It was hard watching his slow decline. I'm rambling a bit so I'll stop here. I'll miss him. Brent |
Dang. I am sorry for your loss. May any/all of the potentially-extant deities and/or pantheons grant them a better beyond.
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Originally Posted by obrentharris
(Post 23755942)
Charlie has succumbed to the complications of a brain injury from a bike accident that took place over 10 years ago. If you don't know about the pioneering work done by Charlie you owe yourself a quick internet search. There's a lot of information about his bike innovations, particularly in the early days of the mountain bike.
I won't go into the history here. I'm sure others will cover that better than I could. I want to talk bout the man himself. I knew Charlie as a fellow cyclist but I knew him better as a member of a circle of friends, including his wife Jacquie, who played music together. Charlie and my late wife Nanette were our faithful audience. Charlie was a quiet man, modest and shy, but passionate about his many projects to improve both mountain and road bikes, always striving to find that point where as-light-as-possible was strong enough. His basement workshop included everything from massive welding clamps to tiny jewelers files, reflecting the broad range of his curiosity. It was hard watching his slow decline. I'm rambling a bit so I'll stop here. I'll miss him. Brent So sorry for your loss, I'm grateful you and Jacquie kept us apprised of his struggle and showed us so many of his parts and pieces.that clearly exhibited his genius. He was one of a kind like no other. RIP CC |
He was a genius in the field.
. Ride in Peace, Charlie. You will be missed. |
Thank you for sharing these memories. I found this piece very useful in detailing Charlie Cunningham's remarkable contributions to the development of mountain bikes; truly an innovative pioneer,
Now THAT Was a Bike: Charlie Cunningham's Prophetic CC Proto - Pinkbike |
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I found this old slide of Charlie, so I scanned it and sent it to Jacquie.
Her return email had the bad news. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ad4cccf3df.jpg |
One of a kind. May his memory be a blessing.
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My condolences to his family and friends. I’d kind of knew who his was but only learned of his true impact on cycling last year. A true groundbreaker. I’m sure he’ll be missed in the Marin community.
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Originally Posted by Repack Rider
(Post 23756108)
I found this old slide of Charlie, so I scanned it and sent it to Jacquie.
Her return email had the bad news. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ad4cccf3df.jpg Quintessential Charlie in his element. Brent |
The wikipedia page about him was just revised. I'm reading it now. Thank you, Charlie.
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very sad news indeed. I had been getting some info from Jacquie via the GoFundMe she launched for him, but then it stopped (which I had not registered happening but now we know why).
RIP to a real Pioneer! |
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Rene Herse (Jan Heine) wrote a nice tribute:
https://www.renehersecycles.com/we-m...ie-cunningham/ They're also doing a bit of a fundraiser for Jacquie (I hope it's kosher to link it here): https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop.../issues/bq-29/ |
I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. I first heard of Charlie Cunningham in the mid-80's when I started mountain biking. The wrenches in the shop I went to referred to him as the "Mad Scientist of Marin". I never met the man, but I enjoyed reading about him, his inventions and his contributions to cycling. It was devastating news to learn of his bicycling accident in 2015 and the TBI he suffered. My thoughts and condolences go out to Jacqui Phelan and his family and friends.
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I love the photos of his shop. Crammed to the gills, yet somewhat organized in a way that presumably worked for him. My own workspace is very cramped, so I get it. :) The pictures of old equipment are great, as well.
I once again feel the pain of losing "a good friend I never met." Thank you for all the posted memories, everyone! |
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