Ghost

Sheldon was a kind soul who took his time answering questions and never made you feel that you had asked a "stupid" question. My condolences to his family and my thanks for allowing us to share him.

East Hill

There really was no such thing as a stupid question where Sheldon Brown was concerned. Every question deserved to be answered in a manner that reassured both people new to cycling, and oldtimers both.

East Hill

pgoat

SB personally answered every 'dumb' question I ever sent to Harris. This includes after his recent health issues developed and he always was patient, thorough and polite.

If you want to really gauge how much he meant to to the cycling world and all the diverse people who populate it - just look at how there's a memorial thread dedicated to him in almost every board here.

Name any top racer or other type of cycling figure, and I bet they'd be on a few but not this many. He was one of a kind and thank goodness we still have the tremendous website he left as a resource.

webist

This hurts. Alot.

Radfahrer

Wow - what sad news. Like so many others here, I also exchanged a few emails with Sheldon (in this case asking some questions about Motobecanes), and I was extremely gratified by the fact that he took the time to answer the correspondence and give me the benefit of his encyclopedic knowledge. He will be missed like no other member of the cycling community.

RIP Sheldon.

Blue Order

Since I posted this, there has been an effort in Portland to organize a memorial ride for Sheldon on April Fools Day, in memory of his humorous April Fools Day messages. Of course, an April Fools Day ride would require some Sheldon-inspired silliness.

Whichever date we have a ride, I would hope it could become an annual ride in celebration of Sheldon Brown.

So how do people feel about a memorial ride on April 1?

East Hill

It's certainly a good time of year for a ride, and I think Sheldon would approve .

East Hill

Blue Order

Portland's Sheldon Memorial ride being planned now

hollumns

I'm in Portland and have been laying down tentative plans for an April Fools day ride in honor of Sheldon. My original idea was to have a nationwide ride in his honor that's much less memorial than an expression of what made Sheldon such a memorable, likeable, nutty guy-- passing out helmet eagles, beard/lookalike contests, featuring the kinds of myserious old bike parts he loved, etc. My focus is on Portland at this point, but it'd be spectacular if the Portland ride could be echoed in multiple other cities on April 1st.

What say ye?

Metal Cowboy

I'm co-leading and organizing the April Fool's Sheldon Brown Ride with Hollie here in Portland. We cooked this up early yesterday and I got it mentionedd this morning on KBOO's bike radio show and it's been posted on bikeportland.org. We aren't trying to step on any toes and the more the merrier for Sheldon rides at any time of the year, but April Fools lends itself to the vibe, spirit and not taking himself too serious groove that was Sheldon Brown. If another national set of rides emerges we'll shift in the future but would love the country of friends and fans of SB to seriously consider April 1st and all the possiblities for silliness and fun surrounding that ride date. Here in Portland we are planning to duct tape eagles to rider's helmets, bring out all mannerr of bikes that show our independent streak, tour bike shops in the community, loud jerseys, perhaps we'll even require riders to carry small towels - in honor of SB's love of Douglas Adams and his Hitchhiker's Guide series.

At any rate, keep us in the loop we're moving forward with an April Fools fest ride for Sheldon.

lotek 

Given the products that SB would announce on april 1st that makes more sense to me.

Marty

pgoat

yes

this should happen all over the country if not the world.

I'm in - NYC?

pat_00

Must say i'm new to the bike thing, but in the last 2 months i have practically learnt everything i need to know from sheldon brown.

I was impressed by the open-ness and spirit with which he shared his knowledge. Much respect.

RobbieTunes

I'd bet a Sheldon Brown jersey would sell well, and raise a nice amount for MS or his family if they need it......He paid if forward. Our turn to pay it back.

ticwanos

Well said.

bigwoo

April 1st sounds great to me for here in Denver. I'm trying to get a hold of Brad to get the (gigantic gang) of Denver Cruisers on board : https://denvercruisers.com/ride.html

These folks create some of the best antics and costumes around!

jgedwa

Link to a guest book for him at the funeral home:

https://www.currentobituary.com/Memor..._ObitdID=46170

bikemore 

A Sheldon Brown tribute on The Bike Show
And Newton TAB obituary

Peedtm

As an adult I threw my first bike away after the pulleys of my rear derailer (SB spelling) fell out. I bought myself a nice new used road bike and promised myself that I would learn to take care of it. After searching for help on the internet all links seemed to lead to Sheldon. To make a long story short, I'm now a part time bicycle mechanic because of his site and his patience responding to my emails. I will be eternally grateful for the person he was and the person he helped me become.

RIP Sheldon


Petr Malek

bikemore 

Boston Globe Story
No mention of memorial ride or other event. I guess Harris is still looking into what to do.

EDIT: There will be a memorial service in Newton on March 2nd

Ghost

What a great idea for an April first ride in Sheldon's honor. I would like to borrow it for our small club.

Blue Order

Yes, the hope is that an April 1st ride will be held wherever Sheldon has fans, and that it will become an annual remembrance of Sheldon.

Walter

I had not known about this until I ran across it over on the Road Forum a couple of hours ago. I'm truly saddened to hear of his passing even though I only "knew" him on the internet.

Like so many others I relied on his site but never talked to him. My wife did once when she, at my request, ordered some small parts over the phone from Harris.

She told me my note stating what I needed wasn't so hot but she talked to a really helpful guy named Sheldon who got it straightened out.

"You talked to Sheldon!?" was my response. She still has a recollection of it (probably b/c of my reaction).

I wish his family God's Peace as they deal with their loss and I bid Sheldon a sad farewell and wish him Vaya con Dios and tailwinds.

Dawes-man

I am truly very saddened. When I got my Dawes, and knowing NOTHING about bicycles, I found his website invaluable. I was so grateful I sent him a thank-you note. He sent me back a charming message thanking me for thanking him. I still refer to his site regularly. Sheldon Brown, a great asset to the cycling community, RIP. My condolences to his family.

thebikeguy

The main thing that Sheldon "Gonna Miss You" Brown taught me was to be more tolerant towards people who may not have as much experience with the mystic arts of wrenching bicycles.To listen patiently to what their malady is.Offer advice in a manner they can understand.To take the time.
We were all there once.
Sheldon will never really be gone if we all follow his lead.To contribute unselfishly to this sport/hobby we all so dearly love.Perpetuate a good thing.

Scott "The Bike Guy" Ferguson