The Spokesmen Podcast #27

Yesterday morning I was able to join The Spokesmen podcast again! Woo-hoo! It's been awhile because of my schedule and the schedules of the folks on the podcast (life happens, right?!).

Because life happens, there were only three of us, but it wasn't for lack of trying - Tim Grahl had some wacky computer problems, Tim Jackson was on a plane with his knees up near his chest and Carlton had a technology meltdown (not his, but his provider). But, David, Richard and I got up early (ok, not so early for me, but wicked early for Richard on the West Coast) and had some fun together. I always think I sound like a dork, but David and Richard sound fabulous, as always.

Some of the topics on Episode #27:
- Tragic accident this weekend in northern California
- Accident in Tucson with deputy hitting group ride
- Utah cyclists press charges under 3-foot rule
- Dave Zabriskie's Yield to Life
- Alleycat races
- Paris-Nice/ASO/UCI/Astana
- Rock Racing (still looking for gear to go on sale!)
- Donna's little opinion about Tour of Cali
- Our bike/riding tips

We dedicated this show to the late, great Sheldon Brown.

I'm listening to the show right now, but it's not over yet. David says that he added some bloopers to the end...I can only imagine...yikes! I'm sure they are fun (right, David?). Regardless, it was a good show - go on over and listen! Make sure to let us know what you think - either here or over on The Spokesmen site.

Update: Hey, Masiguy...you have to listen to the end...to the bloopers...past the static and giggles...

Wishing Sheldon Long, Rolling, Sun-drenched Rides

It is with great sadness that we all just learned about the passing of a bike industry icon, Sheldon Brown (via Cyclelicious). He passed last night of a massive heart attack, after his last journal post, amazingly.

Although I'd never met Sheldon, I couldn't help but know about a fraction of his expertise - after all, every time I get on a forum and someone asks about proper lock up techniques the answer is hardly, "ask Kryptonite" or even "ask Kryptonite competitor Y". No, it is nearly always, "use the Sheldon Brown method" or, "read Sheldon's method" or "visit Sheldon's site to get the proper method". Either that, or it was Sheldon himself replying to the person with the question. And...they were right...in most cases, Sheldon has the correct method.

I'd been saddened to learn that he'd been diagnosed with MS last year and couldn't ride as he'd like to any longer. Like many of the amazing people with MS he adapted to this situation and rode anyway.

On this sad day, we all hope Sheldon is riding exactly as he'd like on sun-drenched roads with the wind at his back.

To his family and his family at Harris Cyclery, please accept the sympathies of us all here at Kryptonite.



In addition to Cyclelicious the tributes are starting to roll in:
Bike Radar
BikeBiz

UPDATE (2/8):

Ross Kerber isn't just a Boston Globe reporter, he's also a cyclist. He's written a nice article, complete with a thoughtful photo, on Sheldon Brown and his family today. It also gives memorial service information.