Sheldon Brown, most widely known as the bicycle guru and webmaster behind Harris Cyclery in Massachusetts died last night of a heart attack. Not only does the cycling community lose a legend, but the free thinking community has lost one more as well. Brown seemed to be more than just a cyclist from his website:
Some Things I Believe In
- Democracy
- Duty
- Equality
- Exogamy
- Family
- Freedom
- Justice
- Kindness
- Law
- Love
- Loyalty
- Mathematics
- Science
- Space Exploration
- Truth
Some Things I Do Not Believe In
- Angels
- Astrology
- Death Penalty
- Devils
- Elves
- Faeries
- Faith
- Gods
- “Intelligent Design”
- Leprechauns
- Luck
- Magic
- Racial Purity
I am sorry I never got to meet him. I would have liked to discuss the connections between his personal beliefs on religion, science, and human nature to his love for bicycles to help better understand my own connections between these otherwise disparate ideas. Sheldon Brown, you are missed.
From Gary Boulanger of BikeRadar.com:
Sheldon Brown, the human encyclopedia of bicycling knowledge and a famous employee of Harris Cyclery in Massachusetts, died of a massive heart attack Sunday evening, February 3, according to his wife Harriet.
The 63-year-old bicycle expert was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in August 2007, limiting his prior upright bicycling and workload. His many trademarks include a longish gray leprechaun beard and shaved head. He was also well-known for patiently and thoroughly answering his 500 – 1000 daily emails.
Our thoughts are with Brown’s family during their time of loss. His contributions to the bicycle industry were great, and his enduring legacy shall be greater.
(painting entitled “Bicycle Guru” by Richard Junila Brown)
Sheldon Brown, 1944-2008. Word has come from his wife that Sheldon Brown passed away last night from a massive heart attack. Countless cyclists have been inspired and influenced by Sheldon’s vast writings of his seemingly endless cycling knowledge. I can remember stumbling upon his website years and years ago, and continually referring to it for tough problems. He will be greatly missed by the cycling community.
Midnight Ridazz forums:
Sheldon will be missed. He’s helped countless peeps start riding. I’m sure many of you first read about fixed gear bikes on his site.
He could have sold a book with all his bike content, but it’s all out there and free to use. Hopefully the site will continue.
cabhauler
02.4.08 – 4:21 pmSheldon Brown taught me everything I know about English (Raleigh) 3-speeds. I’m going to get mine back up and running, and ride them in his honor.the reverend dak
02.4.08 – 4:35 pm
Awwww man… I am shocked. SO sad. I spent countless hours reading Sheldon Brown’s website when I got into riding.. . even exchanged an e-mail w/ him thanking him for it breaking down so well for new riders, and he kindly took the time to respond. I gained so much confidence by following his advice… things as simple and mounting and dismounting a bike. They are only simple when you’ve had lots of experience riding and he graciously shared all he had with the bicycle community!
<3 <3 <3 RIP <3 <3 <3 you will be missed.
mixtemotions
02.4.08 – 4:55 pm
Sheldon Brown’s Wikipedia entry
R.I.P. Sheldon Brown
Tags: Gary Boulanger, Harris Cyclery, heart attack, multiple sclerosis, Sheldon Brown
