RIP, Sheldon Brown.

Sheldon Brown passed away. I was coming back from a bike shop in the summer, and I swore I saw Sheldon Brown riding on a folder up on Falls Road, past the city line. I thought, what the hell, and emailed him, not thinking I’d get a response. But I did. He sent me a cheerful few emails (telling me that it was not him and me saying what a boon it would be to Baltimore cycling if it had turned out to be him) that I will save forever now. From what a lot of people are sharing, that was the norm for a very generous man and a hero to cyclists everywhere. This is very sad news, and I’m glad my friend and I went riding and to a bike shop for some parts today, to keep something like Sheldon’s spirit alive. Check out Sheldon’s website for what will probably never be topped, insofar as free bike advice and encouragement go. If you can read that site and not get on a bike, well, brother, you’re lost.