Sheldon Brown died of a heart attack on February 3, 2008. He was 63 years old. If you ride a bike, and you haven't visited his website, click on this link right now; scroll down, and read everything you can. This man made a gigantic contribution to the bicycle community while he was on the planet through his prolific work as a mechanic, writer, photographer, researcher, advocate, and teacher.
Most of us who have had questions about bikes have turned to Sheldon's website and his detailed writings on historical information about bicycles, component compatibilities, and precise technical and experiential information. He shared his information and insights without hesitation through the years via the web.
He created the definitive online source of bicycle mechanical information. As importantly, he did so with humor and a positive, encouraging tone that didn't intimidate the beginning do-it-yourself weekend warrior bike mechanic or bore the pro bicycle mechanic. His articles are inspiring and the work of an exceptional teacher.
I did not have the chance to meet Sheldon or his family. (However, I have happily read the writings of his wife, Harriet, and her report on her experience riding Paris-Brest-Paris. And I have read about his family through his journal entries and articles.) Thoughts are with his family at this time.
Ride on Sheldon, and thank you for making all of us more knowledgeable, helpful, and inspired cyclists and bicycle mechanics.
Photo lifted from Wikipedia and Sheldon Brown's website
