In a city that prides itself of two-wheeled self-reliance, it’s not surprising that Sheldon Brown’s death has had a major impact.
Many Portlanders have shared their memories and feelings of great loss at the passing of someone who defies description. Part obscure bike part information guru, part cycling ambassador, part writer.
One commenter referred to him as a “Renaissance man”.
Reader Michael Downes, a former bike designer for Giant Bicycles recalled a meeting with Brown several years ago:
“I had the pleasure of meeting Sheldon while conducting research for Giant Bicycles. His basement headquarters was an Alladin’s cave of obscure and hard to get gear and Sheldon was a gentleman and a great host. We played a game for a couple hours with me trying to come up with really obscure components and him locating the said part. Sach’s Duopar long cage rear mech? Third row, bottom shelf on the right. French threaded Stronglight alloy headset? Sixth row, second shelf down on the left and so on and until I ran out of ideas.”
Portland author and Bicycling Magazine columnist Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie called him a “true original”. Many other readers recalled how Brown played a significant role in getting them on a bike, or making their time on a bike more enjoyable by way of his vast trove of how-to articles.
Many people also remembered Brown’s humorous April Fools articles. In light of that there several people think it would be fitting to organize a memorial ride for him on April 1st.
If you’d like to see this ride happen, or have time to volunteer to help organize it, please use the comments below as a way to connect with others in the community.
Once details of the ride are confirmed I will post them.
There has also been a website set up in his honor at SheldonBrown.blogspot.com.